A quiet Thursday morning turned into a scene of terror when a masked man allegedly stabbed a 70-year-old woman in the neck as she tended to her front garden.
The unprovoked attack, which occurred around 11:20 AM on March 6, 2025, has left the community in shock and prompted a major police manhunt to apprehend the suspect, who fled the scene immediately after the assault.
According to reports, the elderly woman was enjoying a peaceful moment outside her home in Middleton, a suburban area of Greater Manchester, when the assailant approached.
Witnesses described the attacker as wearing a mask, obscuring his identity, before he suddenly lunged at the woman with a knife, striking her in the neck. The victim’s screams alerted neighbors, who rushed to her aid as the suspect disappeared into the surrounding streets.
Emergency services responded swiftly, with police and paramedics arriving at the scene within minutes. The woman was rushed to a nearby hospital, where she is receiving treatment for serious injuries.
While her condition has not been fully disclosed, authorities have confirmed that she remains under medical care, and her family has been notified.
Neighbors expressed disbelief at the randomness of the attack, with one resident telling reporters, “She’s just a lovely lady who keeps to herself. This is horrifying.”
Greater Manchester Police have launched an extensive investigation, describing the incident as a “brutal and senseless act of violence.”
Officers are combing the area for CCTV footage and appealing to the public for witnesses who may have seen a masked individual fleeing the scene.
“We are treating this as a priority case,” a police spokesperson said. “The suspect poses a significant risk to the public, and we are doing everything in our power to identify and apprehend him.”
The attack has heightened fears in Middleton, a typically quiet town, with residents now on edge over the possibility of a dangerous individual at large.
Authorities have increased patrols in the area to reassure the community while urging anyone with information to come forward.
“Even the smallest detail could be crucial,” the spokesperson added, encouraging tips via a dedicated hotline or anonymous submissions through Crimestoppers.
Speculation about the motive behind the attack remains rife, though police have yet to establish whether the victim was specifically targeted or if the stabbing was a random act.
The use of a mask suggests premeditation, but investigators are keeping an open mind as they piece together the circumstances.
This shocking incident comes amid growing concerns over violent crime in suburban areas, though such brazen daylight attacks remain rare.
Community leaders have called for calm while expressing solidarity with the victim and her loved ones. “We stand together against this kind of violence,” a local councilor said. “No one should feel unsafe in their own garden.”
As the manhunt continues, police are expected to release further updates, potentially including a description of the suspect if additional evidence emerges.
For now, the people of Middleton wait anxiously, hoping for justice and the swift capture of the masked attacker who turned a peaceful day into a nightmare.
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