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Statement Regarding Assault 02.4.2007
On Sunday, February 4, 2007, we were both attacked by a stranger at approximately 12:00 noon, while walking in Hillcrest. We had hesitated at the corner of Fourth Avenue and Washington Street, and heard footsteps running up behind us as we proceeded down Fourth Avenue toward the Hillcrest business district. Our assailant pushed past Donald and began
to attack Caroline. As the attack continued, Donald was stabbed twice, and Caroline, stabbed once, found herself on the ground with an aching jaw and injury to the back of her head. Caroline’s calls for help brought a small crowd to our aid, at which point our assailant sat down and waited for the police to arrive. Minutes later, two police units responded, followed by a third and two ambulances. Donald, bleeding seriously from a wound that cut a blood vessel, was taken to Mercy Hospital two blocks away, where the bleeding was controlled. Caroline arrived at the same hospital minutes later, but then underwent major surgery to repair a stab wound to her kidney. Donald later had minor surgery to stop the bleeding from the wound in his upper back. Donald was discharged from Hospital after one night, but Caroline was kept in hospital for a week, to recover from her surgery.
Our assailant, we learned, had been in trouble in different parts of the Western U. S., and
was on parole from another recent attack, on an officer in a nearby community. What we remembered was the look on his face, full of hatred and anger, his outbursts, and that we were sure he wanted to kill us. His actions and his history, however, made us equally
certain that his unprovoked violence was preventable. A major part of our lives has been devoted to providing and promoting treatment for members of our community struggling with mental disorders and addictions. As President of the board of A New PATH (Parents for Addiction Treatment and Healing), Caroline works tirelessly to counter the stigma of addictive disease and promote treatment for young offenders. Here is an individual whose needs were not addressed early in his life and who was released on parole in a still violent frame of mind. If we are really seeking public safety in our communities we need to do a better job at crime prevention, beginning with making sure that persons who need it receive effective treatment, before they turn into violent predators. We need to make a positive difference in the lives of those who need help if we want to maintain safe communities.
Contact: Donald or Caroline Stewart 619-491-0080
On Sunday, February 4, 2007, we were both attacked by a stranger at approximately 12:00 noon, while walking in Hillcrest. We had hesitated at the corner of Fourth Avenue and Washington Street, and heard footsteps running up behind us as we proceeded down Fourth Avenue toward the Hillcrest business district. Our assailant pushed past Donald and began
to attack Caroline. As the attack continued, Donald was stabbed twice, and Caroline, stabbed once, found herself on the ground with an aching jaw and injury to the back of her head. Caroline’s calls for help brought a small crowd to our aid, at which point our assailant sat down and waited for the police to arrive. Minutes later, two police units responded, followed by a third and two ambulances. Donald, bleeding seriously from a wound that cut a blood vessel, was taken to Mercy Hospital two blocks away, where the bleeding was controlled. Caroline arrived at the same hospital minutes later, but then underwent major surgery to repair a stab wound to her kidney. Donald later had minor surgery to stop the bleeding from the wound in his upper back. Donald was discharged from Hospital after one night, but Caroline was kept in hospital for a week, to recover from her surgery.
Both of us feel extremely lucky to have survived this assault with our lives and without permanent physical injury. The scars and psychological trauma will remain for some time. We were extremely fortunate that neighbors and community members came to our aid, and we are grateful for their assistance. Some lent shirts to help stop Donald’s bleeding, and all gave comfort and encouragement as we waited for the ambulances. In hospital, countless friends and colleagues offered prayers, support and companionship, and continued to help us out after we returned home. In many ways, our experience was proof of the power of community to provide compassionate support to its members in time of need.
Another lesson grew from a need to understand why we were attacked. We believe the assault was random, and had we not been the victims, another person would have been.Our assailant, we learned, had been in trouble in different parts of the Western U. S., and
was on parole from another recent attack, on an officer in a nearby community. What we remembered was the look on his face, full of hatred and anger, his outbursts, and that we were sure he wanted to kill us. His actions and his history, however, made us equally
certain that his unprovoked violence was preventable. A major part of our lives has been devoted to providing and promoting treatment for members of our community struggling with mental disorders and addictions. As President of the board of A New PATH (Parents for Addiction Treatment and Healing), Caroline works tirelessly to counter the stigma of addictive disease and promote treatment for young offenders. Here is an individual whose needs were not addressed early in his life and who was released on parole in a still violent frame of mind. If we are really seeking public safety in our communities we need to do a better job at crime prevention, beginning with making sure that persons who need it receive effective treatment, before they turn into violent predators. We need to make a positive difference in the lives of those who need help if we want to maintain safe communities.
Contact: Donald or Caroline Stewart 619-491-0080
Designed by Krista Oliver
2007 © anewpath