A veteran Navy student shares how he saved his ASU classmate from a knife attack

The quick action of a Navy veteran turned Arizona State University student may have saved the life of a fellow student who was repeatedly stabbed in a seemingly random attack on campus.

On Sept. 19, 19-year-old Kaci Sloan allegedly lunged at 19-year-old Mara Daffron as the pair arrived for class at ASU’s West Valley campus in Glendale.

Police said Sloan stabbed Mara twice before classmate and Marine veteran Matthew McCormick intervened.

“I’ve never seen anything like this before and I hope I never see it again,” McCormick told FOX 10 Phoenix.

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The veteran said he was just navigating his microeconomics class when he saw Sloan lunge at Daffron and said he immediately felt “compelled” to do something to improve the situation .

“There wasn’t really a thought going through my mind at that moment, I just knew I had an urge to do something,” McCormick said.

I just knew I had the urge to do something…

— Matthew McCormick, ASU student

McCormick’s quick action stopped Sloan in her tracks – just as she was about to throw a third punch.

“As she was planning a third attack, I was able to grab her by the wrists and arrest her before any further damage could be done,” he said.

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Police confirmed McCormick’s account in a probable cause affidavit obtained by Fox News Digital, saying that one of the witnesses “was able to disarm the defendant by pulling the knife from the defendant’s right hand and throwing it.” .” [sic] away from them.” Another witness “then sent the knife to the back of the classroom.”

Mara Daffron was allegedly stabbed twice in an ASU classroom by fellow student Kaci Sloan. (Facebook)

McCormick noted that he wasn’t the only good Samaritan to intervene, saying they were “locked in.” Maricopa County authorities said there were 13 witnesses to the horrific attack.

“It was a great job by everyone who was in that room, the emergency responders, the paramedics and the police. Everyone reacted very, very well. Emergency calls were pretty instantaneous and everyone seemed pretty locked in and knew what to do,” he said.

The knife attack occurred on September 19 in a classroom on the ASU campus. (FOX 10 Phoenix)

Following the attack, Daffron was taken to a nearby hospital where she underwent post-attack surgery.

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“We miss you. For you and your family, I pray for your return and I’m just so grateful that your family was able to survive this tragedy,” McCormick said.

Maricopa County authorities have charged 19-year-old Kaci Lenise-Charlie Sloan with aggravated assault with a deadly weapon and disorderly conduct with a weapon in connection with the attack on student Mara Daffron. (Maricopa County Sheriff’s Office)

According to court documents, a professor told police that the stabbing occurred “without any provocation or words.”

Chilling letters found by authorities after the stabbing showed that Sloan referred to an act she “wanted to commit,” but they “did not specifically state what she was referring to.”

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Sloan also apparently expressed a desire to “hurt someone” in an interview with investigators after the alleged attack in class that day, choosing Daffron because she was “an easier target” than the other person they apparently attacked wanted.

Sloan faces several charges in connection with the stabbing, including attempted first-degree murder.

Audrey Conklin of Fox News Digital contributed to this report.