The quick actions of a Navy veteran turned Arizona State University student may have saved the life of a classmate who was repeatedly stabbed in a seemingly random attack on campus.
On Sept. 19, Casey Sloan, 19, allegedly lunged at Mara Daffron, 19, as she arrived for class at ASU's West Valley campus in Glendale.
Police said Sloan stabbed Mara twice before classmate and Navy veteran Matthew McCormick intervened.
“I've never seen anything like this, and I hope it never happens again,” McCormick told the Fox affiliate. Kuzazu.
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The veteran said he was just getting used to his microeconomics class when he spotted Sloan charging towards Daffron, and immediately felt he had to do something to help the situation. said.
“At that moment, I wasn't really thinking, I just knew I had to do something,” McCormick said.
I knew I felt like I had to do something…
Court documents say the attack on Mara Daffron was apparently random. (Facebook)
McCormick's quick actions stopped Sloan from attempting a third attack.
“When she was about to attack a third time, I was able to grab her wrist and catch her before any further damage could be done,” he said.
Arizona college student stabbed twice in random attack in classroom
Police corroborated McCormick's testimony in a probable cause affidavit obtained by Fox News Digital, saying one witness was “able to disarm the defendant by pulling the knife from the defendant's right hand and throwing it.” said. [sic] Another witness “kicked the knife into the back of the classroom.”
Mara Daffron was allegedly stabbed twice by classmate Casey Sloan in an ASU classroom. (Facebook)
Mr McCormick noted that he was not the only good Samaritan to intervene and said they were “trapped”. Maricopa County authorities said there were 13 witnesses to the horrific attack.
“Everyone in that room, the EMTs, the paramedics, the police, they all did a great job. They all responded really well. The 9-1-1 call was instantaneous. “It seemed like everyone was locked in and knew what to do,” he said.
The stabbing occurred on September 19th in a classroom on the ASU campus. (FOX10 Phoenix)
After the attack, Daffron was taken to a nearby hospital where he underwent surgery.
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McCormick said: “I will miss you. To you and your family, I am praying for your return and I am just so grateful that your family was able to overcome this tragedy.” “I will.”
Maricopa County authorities have charged Kasi Lennis-Charlie Sloan, 19, with aggravated assault with a deadly weapon and disorderly conduct with a weapon in connection with the attack on student Mara Daffron. (Maricopa County Sheriff's Office)
A professor told police that the stabbing happened “without provocation or words,” according to court documents.
Chilling letters discovered by authorities after the stabbing showed Sloan mentioning an act he was “about to commit,” but added: “It's unclear what exactly he was referring to. “It wasn't done.”
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Sloan also said during questioning by detectives after the alleged assault that he had expressed a desire to “hurt someone” in class that day, and that he chose to target Daffron because she was trying to attack him. It appears that this was because he was an “easier target'' than other people he had in mind.
Sloan faces multiple charges in connection with the stabbing, including attempted first-degree murder.
Fox News Digital’s Audrey Conklin contributed to this report.
