AZUSA – Just before sundown, Azusa Police Department Dispatch received an Assault With a Deadly Weapon (ADW) call near a park less than one-half mile away from the station. Patrol Officers gave swift response at 7:55 PM on May 11th to the 500 block of North Azusa Avenue.
“Azusa Police Officers arriving on scene located a female adult suffering from a stab wound to her upper torso area,” said Azusa PD. The victim told officers that she’d been a block away at Edwards Park, and was followed when she left due to highly-suspicious circumstances.
As the woman was “playing with her two minor age children – A female adult approached the children and began looking at them as they played,” said Azusa PD. “The victim became nervous and immediately left the park with her children and began to walk southbound on Azusa Ave.”
As the family walked further, authorities revealed that the suspicious female caught up to them and ordered the mom to “give my daughter back.” With that, the woman threatened to harm the mom if she didn’t follow the order.
Quickly thereafter, the woman stabbed the mom in her upper torso. The victim was aided by bystanders in the area – who immediately called police as the suspect fled the area on foot.
Los Angeles County Fire Department arrived onscene to treat the stabbing victim. LAFD personnel transported the injured mom, who had non-life-threatening injuries, to a local hospital.
The fleeing assaulter was quickly apprehended around the corner from the horrifying incident. She was later ID’d as Brianna Halquist (23) of Phoenix, Arizona.
The suspect, a transient, was “arrested for attempted murder, assault with a deadly weapon, and criminal threats,” said Azusa PD.
The terrified, unharmed children were released at the scene to their father.
