Nursing Student 4th Woman To Be Attacked, Stabs Suspect In E. Fort Worth
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FORT WORTH (CBS11) - A nursing student became the fourth woman in 11 days in East Fort Worth to be attacked. But Fort Worth police say the victim fought back and repeatedly stabbed her attacker.
Police say she is okay, but the suspect is in the hospital.
Fort Worth police say the victim was on her way to nursing school around 8:00 a.m. when the man grabbed her from behind and pulled her into an apartment to sexually assault her.
But after hearing about three similar attacks, police say the victim armed herself with a knife and was ready.
Noemi Cruz's daughter and daughter-in-law live at the Brentwood Home Apartments with her four grandchildren, the same complex where Friday's attack took place.
Cruz says, "I think that's what she had to do is just fight back and protect yourself and she did that. She's a brave woman and I applaud her."
Cruz's daughter, Bianca Salazar says she hadn't heard about the attack. "This is scary because I'm here with two girls. It's scary to think because my sister-in-law lives here too. It's just frightening."
Police say a woman was sexually assaulted November 4th at the Linda Vista Apartments.
Two attempted sex assaults took place November 2nd at other complexes nearby.
Laquetta Johnson says her neighbor was attacked. "I heard her screaming help me and I heard him tell her to get her back here that morning in like a real aggressive voice he had."
Johnson says she saw her later that day. "She didn't go into detail because she was really distraught and she wound up moving the same day."
Now, police are having the victims look over photo line-ups and detectives are developing a composite sketch so they can determine whether the man now in custody is responsible for all four attacks. Officers have also checked out vacant apartments at the complexes to see if the suspect lived there.
Bianca Salazar says she's always vigilant -- especially with her two young children.
"I'm always on alert because I hear about it all the time so I'm very cautious about where I'm going and I'm always aware of my surroundings."
Police say Salazar is doing what everyone should do: stay alert.
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