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Former Disney on Ice skater attacked, stabbed in random act

COLUMBUS, Ind. — An ice skating instructor was stabbed multiple times in a violent attack that investigators say had no motive.

Emma Baxter, 34, spent years skating in Disney on Ice productions and more recently has been an ice skating instructor at Hamilton Center Ice Arena in Columbus, Indiana.

Mark Jones, director of the Columbus Recreation and Parks Department, told WXIN that Baxter is “wonderful” and “great with the kids,” adding that families outside of the area often reach out to Baxter for lessons.

Baxter was headed to teach a lesson Friday morning when she was approached by a man she didn’t know.

“The man approached her in the parking lot, asked her for a cigarette and when she told him no, she got back into her car and tried to get away," said Lt. Matt Harris of the Columbus Police Department. “However, the suspect crashed into her vehicle a short time later in a stolen car.”

After the crash, the suspect began stabbing Baxter.

At some point, she was able to call 911, and an officer arrived at the scene within minutes, Lt. Harris said.

The suspect, later identified as Ryan Halligan, fled on foot when officers arrived, according to WXIN. Police found him hiding near a home and arrested him.

Baxter was airlifted to a hospital, where she received treatment. She has been discharged and is recovering.

Investigators said the attack was completely random, as Baxter and Halligan do not know each other.

Halligan has been charged with attempted murder, aggravated battery, criminal confinement, strangulation, auto theft, operating a vehicle while intoxicated endangering a person and interference with the reporting of a crime. His bond was set at $1,500,000.

As you may have heard by now, our beloved Emma was assaulted and violently stabbed multiple times at 6:30 am Friday,...

Posted by Nellie Baxter on Wednesday, October 28, 2020

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