Women subdue man accused of campus stabbing

BANGOR, Maine (AP) — Five female students, including one who'd recently completed a self-defense class, jumped to the aid of a fellow student, grabbing her knife-wielding attacker and holding him until police officers arrived at Husson University, officials said Wednesday.

College Stabbing

This photo provided by the Bangor (Maine) Police Dept. shows Horst Wolk. Police say five female students subdued Wolk, a 45-year-old man who stabbed a woman on the campus of Maine's Husson University. Bangor Police say Horst Wolk of Bangor has been charged with attempted murder, elevated aggravated assault, aggravated assault and violating a protection order. (AP Photo/Bangor (Maine) Police Dept.)

College Stabbing
Bridget Brown

Husson University junior Jesse Hladik, 21, right, speaks, as Heather Mann looks on Wednesday, May 5, 2010 in Bangor, Maine. Jesse Hladik put her new skills to work when she lunged for the Horst Wolk's hand holding a knife, while fellow students grabbed the man's other limbs and wrestled him to the ground. Hladik, 21, of Buckfield, said she knew the pressure points to make him drop the knife, thanks a self defense class. Wolk has been charged with attempted murder, elevated aggravated assault, aggravated assault and violating a protection order (AP Photo/The Bangor Daily News, Bridget Brown) NO SALES; MAGS OUT; MANDATORY CREDIT

Jesse Hladik put her new skills to work when she lunged for the hand holding a knife, while fellow students grabbed the man's other limbs and wrestled him to the ground. Hladik, 21, of Buckfield, said she knew the pressure points to make him drop the knife, thanks to the class.

"It was really scary, but I'm glad we got involved," said student Heather Mann, 18, of Rochester, N.H. "Because I really think he would have killed her."

Officers responding to the report of a domestic fight at 7:40 a.m. arrived to find 45-year-old Horst Wolk of Bangor subdued on the pavement. A campus officer cuffed him, and city police hauled him away.

John Michaud, professor of legal studies, heard the commotion and saw a pile of people on the pavement, while more women stood by, ready to jump in, if necessary.

"I was very impressed by the students," Michaud said. "How many times do you hear about people walking by incidents like this? These young ladies weren't going to walk by this incident." He said the young women disarmed the suspect and "had the situation well in hand."

Wolk has been charged with attempted murder, elevated aggravated assault, aggravated assault and violating a protection order, said Bangor Police Sgt. Paul Edwards. He remained jailed Wednesday afternoon on $25,000 bail. There was no indication whether he had an attorney.

The incident unfolded in a parking lot next to Husson's O'Donnell Commons. Wolk, who isn't a student, rammed the victim's vehicle after she pulled into a parking space at 7:40 a.m., then jumped out of his vehicle with a knife in his hand, said Julie Green, Husson spokeswoman.

The injured woman, who was not identified, was treated at a local hospital and released.

Edwards said officers generally don't want bystanders to put themselves in harm's way.

"We would never recommend getting involved to the point where you might get hurt yourself and become a second victim. But am I proud of what they did? Of course I am. Am I glad they did it? Yeah. I'm happy because the outcome was good," Edwards said.

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Displaying comments, from newest to oldest

Nancy1's picture

Amazing and heartwarming story

So sorry this great story got sidetracked.  Hope justice prevails in the end!

marooned's picture

Don't worry.

Most of us got what you meant, Nancy! Maybe this dude will take some lessons from these girls before he tries this foolishness again.

LasUnicorn's picture
verified

Good Job

This guy look like Hell, those girl kick the shit out of him  Good Job

jpat's picture

you go girls!

I'm proud of you all!

thinkingman's picture

We all got the point Nancy,

We all got the point Nancy, imagine sitting in jail and explaining to your cellmate how you attacked one and were held down by five ...ladies...yeah thats will but him first in line to be someones new prison sweetheart LOL 

Nancy1's picture

Tried to edit after realizing

Tried to edit after realizing it could be taken wrong.  Couldn't change it, so hoped folks reading it would give the benefit of understanding what I meant.  Don't lets take away from this great story.

crankbait's picture

i got it

i know you meant manly girls

crankbait's picture

right on

Good job lady's Iknew you didn't need topless women to walk the streets to show you are equal.  GOOD JOB. Women also have warrior spirit i love when they put it to good use. Congrats

gdls1's picture

Nancy1, maybe you are not

Nancy1, maybe you are not aware,  but your comment is sexist and demeaning to women. Your last sentence should be deleted.

hhhmmmhhh's picture
verified

Wow, I am for proper values,

Wow, I am for proper values, and the reflection of this in our speech and other communication, but the nazi speech policeing is offensive to me. The spirit of this comment was completely applicable, so find another, more woman demeaning person to hate on...thinking that to police yourself is one thing. No one likes a know-it-all.

Tired's picture

I am not aware

Sorry, but I'm not aware either. Please enlighten me. How is Nancy's "last sentence" "sexist and demeaning"? Please tell me because I'd really like to hear all about your warped sense of logic.

gdls1's picture

"Hopefully his fellow inmates

"Hopefully his fellow inmates treat him like a girl for letting "girls" bring him down."

What does this imply? How would a fellow inmate be treated like a girl? He would be ridiculed and raped.

Her statement implies that it is right and just to rape women or men who can't defend themselves.

To state "treating him like a girl" doesn't imply kindness or courtesy; it implies abuse.

Nancy1's picture

oh come on

Isn't it enough that I said I mistyped and wished I could fix it?  Do you need to keep stabbing away at it?!  I believe there's a name for what you're doing, it's called cyberbullying.  STOP NOW.

gdls1's picture

Perhaps you could restate

Perhaps you could restate your comment to reflect what you couldn't edit? Thank you.

Nancy1's picture

perhaps you could find something better to do?

cyberbullies - individuals whose aim is to gain gratification from the distress caused by provoking and tormenting others.

Again, just drop it why don't you, Donna?

gdls1's picture

Dear Nancy, let's look at

Dear Nancy, let's look at this:

1. You wrote a comment.

2. I wrote that I found your comment offensive.

3. You wrote that you tried, unsuccessfully, to edit your comment, knowing that it might be taken the wrong way.

4. I replied to another poster explaining why I thought your comment was offensive.

5. You accuse me of cyberbullying.      ????

 

Nancy1's picture

sorry for you

I'm done wasting time back and forthing with someone who is obviously always right.  Go nitpick someone else.  How very unpleasant it must be inside your head.

gdls1's picture

I'm never always right. And I

I'm never always right. And I always admit when I'm wrong and apologize when I offend. That always makes me feel better:)

gdls1's picture

My apologies. I was replying

My apologies. I was replying to a request to explain my "warped sense of logic."

Cyberbullying? "Oh, come on."

Nancy1's picture

Guardian angels!

All these women are lifesaving heroes, kudos to them for coming to the rescue!

  I hope they put the attacker away for a long time, he's obviously so crazy that not only did he try to kill someone, he didn't care who was around when he did it.  Hopefully his fellow inmates treat him like a girl for letting "girls" bring him down.

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