A man accused of stabbing a woman who was sitting on a bench outside a D.C. Metro station last week has been arrested in the past on assault and gun charges, according to charging documents.
Marcus Dwayne Jackson, 39, went up to a 66-year-old woman who was sitting on a bench outside the Friendship Heights Metro station in Chevy Chase, Maryland, on Sept. 16 and stabbed her multiple times "for no apparent reason," according to Montgomery County court documents.
Jackson ran off toward D.C. after the stabbing, but a witness followed him and told a 911 dispatcher about his movements until police officers found and arrested the suspect near Chevy Chase Circle, police said.
Police said Jackson stabbed her multiple times with a butcher knife.
Medics treated the victim and took her to a hospital and she is now recovering.
One deep stab wound stretches all the way down and around the victim's forearm. Another slash from the assailant's butcher knife struck her chest and penetrated her lung and ruptured her spleen, but that potentially fatal wound was blunted by the thick leather of her favorite handbag, one she had wanted for a long time.
"From what I saw, it looks like the knife originally penetrated the purse and struck the phone inside the purse, cracking the screen protector," said Jesse Parada, the victim's son. "And I honestly think that actually saved my mother's life."
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Jackson faces attempted murder, assault and other charges. Officers found the knife on him when they arrested him, police said.
The motive for the stabbing remains unclear, and police said in charging documents that Jackson didn't know the woman.
He was arrested nearby after a good Samaritan sprang into action. They followed the assailant down Western Avenue toward Chevy Chase circle, describing his location to the 911 dispatcher.
That earned the praise of Montgomery County State's Attorney, John McCarthy.
"But we had somebody who did what we're always asking people to do, and step in and be the good Samaritan and follow this person, and that led to the individual's arrest," McCarthy said.
The victim's family agrees. They've learned Jackson has a criminal history that includes felony assault and handgun charges.
The crime and its aftermath have cost them peace of mind, their sense of safety and lost wages, but they are beyond grateful to still have the woman who is the very heart of their lives.
"I just want to say thank you so much for everything you did, and from the bottom of my heart, like it means so much to me my family, to you know even the public safety, that this gentleman is put away," Parada said.
Jackson, who has a D.C. address, has a criminal history and was previously arrested for assault, carrying a pistol without a license, robbery, vandalism and possessing drugs with the intent to distribute, charging documents said.
Jackson is set to appear in court Monday in the stabbing case.
The victim, who commuted by public transit for years, told News4 she will never ride Metro again.
Stay with News4 for updates to this developing story.
