A man from Pennsylvania breached a protection from abuse order on Sunday afternoon by breaking into the home of his estranged wife’s parents and stabbing her along with their 11-year-old daughter.
Richard Hall, 49, also attacked the wife’s parents before stabbing himself, KDKA reported.
The mother, along with her 11-year-old daughter and 8-year-old son, had relocated to her parents’ residence to escape the unending abuse from the man, according to Fayette County District Attorney Mike Aubele on Monday.
Witnesses said they observed a car racing down the street before hearing the sound of a back door being forced open, followed by screams emanating from the house.
Aubele reported that Hall engaged in “some sort of conversation” with his estranged wife, who denied him entry. It was then that he forced his way in and launched the attack.
“He physically broke a window door to get into the house and began attacking her with a knife,” Aubele said.
The 11-year-old girl stepped between her mother and the enraged attacker and was also stabbed.
“That 11-year-old child saved her mother’s life,” Aubele said.
Her parents intervened as well; the mother sustained stab injuries while the father was struck in the head, Law&Crime reported. The couple’s 8-year-old son sought help from a neighbor.
According to WTAE, all the victims are expected to survived their injuries.
Aubele informed KDKA that the wife had recently initiated divorce proceedings and secured the protection order in response. Hall is facing several charges, including four counts of attempted homicide, aggravated assault, and child endangerment. He is due to be arraigned once he is discharged from the hospital.
