Woman Stabbed by Stranger While Celebrating Friend’s Birthday, Police Say

A night out in Oregon to celebrate a best friend’s birthday turned violent when a stranger allegedly stabbed a woman in the chest, authorities said.

Achillia A. Palmer, 36, has been charged with attempted murder, second-degree assault, and unlawful use of a weapon, according to Multnomah County court records reviewed by Law&Crime.

Kayla Harrell was out in Portland around 1:45 a.m. Sunday, marking her best friend’s birthday, local CBS affiliate KOIN reported.

A GoFundMe created to support Harrell’s recovery says she was outside after leaving a club when a “transient woman” — later identified by authorities as Palmer — came up to her and stabbed her.

“A woman approached her and just yelled like the B word at her or something,” Harrell’s cousin, Daniel Harrell, said. “She thought that she had gotten punched in the chest. What actually happened was this woman stabbed her, but it just happened so fast.”

The Portland Police Department said officers were called that morning to the 400 block of Northwest 6th Avenue after reports of a stabbing.

“When they arrived, officers found bystanders tending to a 23-year-old woman who had been stabbed,” police said.

Authorities cared for Harrell until she was transported to a hospital. The fundraiser says she had multiple surgeries and then was listed as in stable condition. Still, she “will face an extended recovery period based on the sustained injuries.”

Palmer was detained by security guards before being arrested and booked in jail. Authorities said it appeared the stabbing was a random attack as the suspect and victim did not know each other.

“Unprovoked attacks like this one are uncommon in our community,” Police Chief Bob Day said. “I am relieved that this victim is expected to recover, and I am grateful for the quick actions of community members who assisted the victim. I also want to commend our officers and detectives for their swift response to a complex incident.”