AP: Woman STABBED THROUGH CAR WINDOW after refusing to give beggar money

The Associated Press
8/22/03 9:11 AM

SPRINGFIELD, Ohio (AP) -- A panhandler chased a woman who refused to give him money and stabbed her six times in a supermarket parking lot before a driver used his vehicle to knock the man off a bicycle as he tried to leave, police said.

Mark Adrian Tyler, 26, of Springfield, asked the woman for $5 while she sat in her car outside the supermarket Thursday, Springfield police Detective Dan DeWine said.

"She said, 'No, I work for my money,"' DeWine said.

Tyler stabbed Tammy Rollins, 41, of Springfield, through the car window, DeWine said. Rollins opened her car door and attempted to run.

Tyler continued stabbing at her with a 6-inch kitchen knife, police said. She stumbled into the supermarket and collapsed.

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Rollins was in fair condition at Community Hospital. She received wounds on both arms and her back, puncturing a lung.

Eric Higgenbotham, 34, said he drove onto the lot and saw the attack.

"She was bloody from head to toe when I got there," he said.

When Tyler saw Higgenbotham, he got on a bicycle and tried to ride away. Higgenbotham drove his vehicle into Tyler.

Click here to read the AP story.

OFCC Commentary:
Yet again, OSHP Capt. John Born's citizens-can-just-"drive off"-when-attacked-in-their-cars advice has failed to save an Ohioan from serious injury.

Notice that an armed citizen (this time, armed with a motor vehicle) apprehended the criminal and held him for police.

No one has ever said that concealed carry reform legislation could stamp out all crime. Unfortunately, innocent people will still be attacked (albeit fewer of them, as proved across the country). Like the framers of our state Constitution, we want Ohioans to have the choice of how they want to deal with that reality.

OFCC is pro-choice when it comes to personal protection/ self-defense. We think those who want to defend themselves instead of waiting fifteen minutes for the police should have that choice. We think they should have the right to do what they want when it comes to protecting their own bodies. Read Article 1, Sec. 4 if you have any questions.