CHARLOTTE, N.C. — Police are searching for the person who attacked a woman with a knife while she was walking home from work in southwest Charlotte Wednesday night.
The attack happened Wednesday night on Grapevine Drive, near the intersection with Scottie Place. It's not far from Renaissance Park and the Harry L. Jones Golf Course off South Tryon Street and Tyvola Road.
The woman told police she was walking home when out of nowhere a man with a knife assaulted her. The victim's friend said she was shaken up by the assault.
"She said the guy took her [down] from the hair and dropped her," the friend said. "He tried to put his hands on her mouth."
It's the latest incident of a growing problem in Charlotte, as people walking alone have been targeted by criminals. A 22-year-old was robbed and sexually assaulted while walking on the Mallard Creek Greenway earlier this month. Another woman said she was almost grabbed by a suspect along the Rail Trail in South End.
"I have a completely new perspective about the Rail Trail. I wasn't expecting what happened to me to happen right next to where I live,” the woman told NBC Charlotte.
A CMPD officer told NBC Charlotte attackers typically try to target people who are alone so there won't be any witnesses. For that reason, they recommend you always have someone with you.