A 13-year-old girl in Lobelville, Tenn., reportedly sliced a man’s face with a samurai-style sword earlier this month while rushing to defend her mother, according to the Perry County Sheriff’s Office. Witnesses told deputies the man was attempting to harm the woman when the girl grabbed the blade and intervened. The man was flown to a nearby hospital for treatment, and authorities say the investigation is still active. Officials have not said how badly he was hurt or whether anyone will face charges.
Sheriff: Witnesses Back Self-Defense Claim
Perry County Sheriff Nick Weems told WSMV that early witness accounts appear to support the teen’s actions. “This is a deeply unfortunate situation, made all the more heartbreaking given that the minor involved is a young girl still in grade school,” Weems said. He added that staff at the girl’s school had reached out to his office to praise how composed she remained during the ordeal.
Victim Airlifted, Official Details Still Limited
The man was flown by air to an area hospital, according to WBBJ, although deputies have released almost no specifics about the encounter. Authorities have not said why the man was allegedly attacking the girl’s mother, and they are not commenting on how the 13-year-old came to have access to the samurai-style sword.
Where It Happened
The sheriff’s office confirmed the confrontation took place in the River Drive area of Lobelville, according to WSMV. Lobelville is a small Perry County town about 75 miles west of Nashville, Boston 25 News notes.
How Tennessee Law Treats Third-Party Defense
Under Tennessee law, a person can use force to defend someone else if they reasonably believe it is immediately necessary. The state’s self-defense statute spells out that standard. The relevant provision is TCA §39-11-611, which addresses self-defense and related issues. How, or even whether, those rules apply in this case will be up to investigators and prosecutors as they sort through the facts.
Rare Weapon, Serious Consequences
Incidents involving swords are unusual, yet they can be especially dangerous. Recent cases in other states have put officers and first responders in peril when suspects showed up armed with samurai-style blades, CBS Atlanta and WTXL reported.
Perry County authorities say their probe into the Lobelville stabbing is ongoing and have not released the names of anyone involved. The sheriff’s office is asking anyone with additional information to contact investigators directly.
