News

Woman saves victim from stabbing death

Grays Harbor County, Wash. — Quick facts:

  • Victim lured on Facebook
  • Suspect said "I'm the devil" as he stabbed victim
  • Eyewitness saved the victim's life

When Maleta Chhoum received a message on Facebook telling her she could visit her son, she eagerly accepted.  The 22-year-old had not seen the boy in months because of a custody dispute with the child’s paternal grandparents.  But Grays Harbor County Sheriff’s investigators said on the way to the meeting, Chhoum was attacked by the man who sent the message, who stabbed her while whispering he was the devil.

Chhoum’s friend Tammy Harris picked her up to drive her to the meeting. Harris said the two picked up her son’s uncle Darion Greenwood and began driving west of Hoquiam. Suddenly Greenwood, 19, began beating Chhoum.

“The next thing I know she’s telling me, don’t leave me he’s going to kill me, don’t leave me,” said Harris.

Harris said she stopped the car and Chhoum jumped out but Greenwood chased her, knocked her down and began stabbing her repeatedly.  “I heard that when he had her down stabbing her he told her he was the devil and was going to kill her,” said Harris.

Harris called for help and shined her headlights on Greenwood, yelling that police were on the way. He stopped and ran. Harris got Chhoum into her car and rushed her to the hospital as she bled from several stab wounds. She was later taken to Harbor View Medical Center. Her sister told KIRO 7 she is in critical condition but is expected to survive.

Greenwood was arrested on suspicion of first degree attempted murder. He was ordered held on $1 million bail at a hearing in Grays Harbor County Superior Court on Wednesday.

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