PEORIA, AZ – A tranquil evening walk turned into a harrowing ordeal for a woman and her baby in a quiet, gated community. Around 6:45 p.m. Thursday, the routine stroll near 83rd Avenue and Sweetwater Avenue was abruptly interrupted when a stranger attacked the woman and attempted to snatch her child from the stroller.
Witnesses from the neighborhood, who often saw the woman walking with her baby, were shocked by the unfolding events. The suspect reportedly approached and bear-hugged the woman from behind, then made a move to take the child. In a moment of quick thinking, the woman managed to FaceTime her husband during the struggle, alerting him to the danger.
Responding swiftly, the husband and a nearby neighbor pursued the suspect into a cul-de-sac. Peoria police soon arrived on the scene, but the suspect refused to comply with their commands. An altercation ensued, leading to an officer discharging a weapon, striking the suspect at least once.
Both the suspect and the officer were transported to the hospital. The suspect succumbed to his injuries, while the officer was unharmed and treated as a precaution. Authorities have not disclosed whether the suspect was armed or how he breached the gated community’s security.
As the investigation continues, Glendale Police Department is working to identify the suspect and understand his motives. Meanwhile, the neighborhood remained cordoned off for approximately seven hours as law enforcement gathered evidence and interviewed witnesses.
In light of the incident, authorities urge residents to remain vigilant while walking, especially when accompanied by young children. They recommend staying aware of one’s surroundings and avoiding distractions, such as mobile phones, to enhance personal safety.
Fortunately, neither the woman nor her child sustained physical injuries during the frightening encounter. However, the incident has left a lasting impact on the community, prompting discussions about safety and security.
The perplexing question of how the woman managed to alert her husband via FaceTime amid the chaos remains unanswered, adding another layer of intrigue to the case.