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As is often the case in the aftermath of a violent attack, the narrative revolving around this week’s stabbing at a California university includes an apparent act of heroism. According to multiple reports, Byron Price, a 31-year-old contractor working near the University of California at Merced heard a commotion and responded to help the individuals being stabbed in a classroom.
Byron Price recalled opening the door to witness the violent encounter in progress, explaining his act caused the attacker to leave his other victims and lunge toward him. Price was stabbed multiple times and explained his thought process when he realized what was happening.
Price’s father, John, said he is not surprised his son rushed to help others, explaining that he has “always been one of those guys that defends the weak and helps, you know.”
As the attacker, who has been identified by police as 18-year-old UC Merced student Faisal Mohammad, left the scene, Price said he saw him stab another victim in the chest. Authorities on the scene subsequently shot and killed Mohammad.
One aspect of the attacker’s behavior was particularly jarring, Price recalled.
“He had a smile on his face,” the victim said. “He was having fun.”
As for his injury, Price said the gash in his side required nine staples to close.
“It’s hot,” he said of the wound. “It’s really warm. It didn’t hurt [initially] because there was so much going on. It didn’t hurt for a while; but as soon as I stood up, I knew I had a laceration.”
h/t: KGPE