Heroic Student Saves Classmate in Shocking Arizona Campus Attack

An Arizona State University student was the victim of a seemingly random and violent attack in a classroom in Glendale on September 19. The incident has left the campus community in shock and rallying around the victim, Mara Daffron.

Kaci Lenise-Charlie Sloan, 19, has been charged with first-degree attempted murder, aggravated assault with a deadly weapon, and disorderly conduct with a weapon. According to Maricopa County authorities, Sloan allegedly stabbed Daffron twice in an unprovoked assault.

Daffron’s neighbors have come together to support her through a GoFundMe campaign, stating she was “stabbed several times, but luckily, she is making great progress and is on the mend.”

“We’d like our community to come together and support the Daffron family during this difficult time,” reads the GoFundMe page titled “Support Mara Daffron’s Recovery Journey.”

“We know Mara will come out stronger than ever from this unimaginable attack.”

Matthew McCormick, a fellow student who witnessed the attack, intervened and potentially saved Daffron’s life.

“As she was going for a third attack, I was able to grab her wrists and apprehend her before further damage could be done,” McCormick told FOX 10 Phoenix.

“In that moment I didn’t really have a thought going through my head I just knew that I felt compelled to do something,” he added.

Approximately 13 witnesses, including a professor, were present during the attack. According to a probable cause affidavit obtained by Fox News Digital, the stabbing occurred “without any provocation or any words spoken.”

One witness managed to disarm Sloan by pulling the knife away from her right hand and throwing it across the room. Another witness then “kicked the knife to the back of the classroom.”

“Another witness described the defendant was sitting in the classroom at a desk and suddenly got up and ran at the victim as the victim entered the classroom and stabbed her multiple times,” the affidavit states.

Detectives found a handwritten note in Sloan’s backpack that referenced an act she was “about to commit,” though it did “not specifically state what she was referring to.”

“After reading her Miranda Rights, the defendant admitted she came to class to hurt somebody and was planning the attack since the night prior.”

Sloan expressed a desire to “hurt somebody” in class that day and chose Daffron as she was “an easier target” compared to another person she considered attacking, whom she referred to as “a veteran.”

Authorities quickly arrived on the scene and transported Daffron to a nearby hospital for treatment.

An ASU spokesperson told Fox News Digital, “ASU Police continue to investigate a Sept. 19 on-campus stabbing of a student. Kaci Sloan was immediately detained and arrested on suspicion of first-degree attempted murder; aggravated assault with a deadly weapon; interfering with an educational institution; and disorderly conduct. She is being held on a $250,000 cash-only bond.”

“ASU and the entire ASU West Valley community are deeply saddened by what happened. ASU West Valley is a close-knit campus of students, faculty, and staff. Counseling support is available to all.”

Watch a local news report about the incident below:

Let us know what you think, please share your thoughts in the comments below.

Source