A Westminster toddler and her father are recuperating at home after police say a woman tried to stab the girl over the weekend.
Police said the assault happened in the courtyard of the Westminster Civic Center around 4:45 p.m. Sunday. A man and a girl were walking in the courtyard when an unknown woman attacked them by throwing a bottle at them.
The girl was not injured, but police believe the father’s injuries could have been much worse had it not been for the actions of the father and a good Samaritan who stepped in to help.
“They appeared to stare at the woman, and she charged them with what appeared to be a switchblade knife and stabbed her 3-year-old daughter,” said Westminster Police Department Deputy Chief Cameron Knauer-Hayes. I tried to do that,” he said.
“The father intervened, as any parent would, and sustained multiple stab wounds to protect his three-year-old daughter,” the officer said.
Police provided a photo of the knife that was attached to the arrested woman. The suspect was identified as 43-year-old Victoria Vu. Investigators said Vu, a former San Diego woman, is currently homeless and appears to be spending most of her time in the courtyard.
Investigators are examining security camera footage to identify the man who helped. He left before police arrived.
“If they listened, we thank them from the bottom of our hearts,” Knauer-Hayes said. “What a courageous act, at a time when so many people would have run away if something like that happened. To whoever did this or helped, thank you for being a good citizen and participating. .”
The girl’s father was able to call 911, and police said they arrived within minutes.
