A midday walk on the Bicentennial Greenway near Gibson Park in High Point turned terrifying on Tuesday around 1 p.m., when a masked man rushed out of the woods and attacked a group of hikers, according to police. Two women were injured and taken to a hospital with wounds that were not considered life threatening. The suspect reportedly pulled a gun, then bolted back into the tree line as detectives began an active search of the area.
Police release details
In a June 23 statement, the High Point Police Department said a 44-year-old woman reported that a man wearing dark clothing and a face mask "came out of a wooded area, pushed her down and touched her inappropriately." A 32-year-old woman who tried to stop the attacker was struck and knocked to the ground, while a 46-year-old man who had been walking several steps ahead ran back and told officers the suspect pulled a gun before fleeing.
Where it happened
The scene sits near Gibson Park, a county facility managed by Guilford County that spans about 200 acres and provides access to the Bicentennial Greenway. The Charlotte Observer reported the attack occurred along the roughly six-mile Bicentennial Greenway and that investigators are treating the incident as an assault with sexual motives.
Police response and tips
Chief Curtis Cheeks III said in the High Point Police Department statement that "incidents of this nature are extremely rare along and around the Bicentennial Greenway," and noted that detectives with the department's Special Victims Unit are working to identify the suspect. The release lists Case Report Number 2026-16762 and asks anyone with information to contact Crime Stoppers of High Point at 336-889-4000 or to submit tips via the P3Tips app.
What investigators say next
No arrests had been reported as of the latest updates and the investigation remains active, The Charlotte Observer noted. Officials urged hikers and neighborhood residents to report any footage or sightings that could help detectives track down the masked attacker.
