NYPD: Mother stabbed protecting daughter in stroller in Downtown Brooklyn
NEW YORK -- A mother was stabbed in Downtown Brooklyn earlier this week while trying to protect her young child.
Police say the victim was attacked in broad daylight on Monday afternoon while her 3-year-old daughter was in a stroller.
"It's terrible," one person said.
It happened at the corner of Jay and Tillary streets, near a park.
"It's kind of nuts how much something like walking down the street could affect your life," Katie Wendt said.
Police say the suspect started arguing with the 34-year-old mother as she was walking, then threatened to harm the child, shouting, "Why are you looking at me?" and "I'm going to stab your kid."
Investigators say the mother, in an attempt to protect her daughter, quickly jumped in front of the stroller.
"She's a brave mom," one person said.
Still, the woman, who police said was wearing a blonde wig, pulled out a knife and stabbed the mother multiple times in the chest and legs and then took off running.
Investigators said it was an unprovoked attack.
On Wednesday, police said the suspect, 25-year-old Lequasiah Lawrence, was taken into custody after a tip from the public. She has been charged with attempted murder and assault.
"Now, it's any neighborhood any time of day," an area resident said.
"I could be walking down the street and someone goes off and you're not even prepared," Winnie Johnson added.
CBS2 was told the mother was taken to the hospital, but is expected to be OK.
The toddler was not harmed.
Anyone with information about the stabbing or the suspect is asked to call the NYPD's Crime Stoppers hotline at 1-800-577-TIPS (8477), or for Spanish, 1-888-57-PISTA (74782). You can also submit a tip via their website or via DM on Twitter, @NYPDTips. All calls are kept confidential.