Woman Fights for Her Life and Escapes Violent Attack Near WSU Campus

This recent incident in Spokane, Washington, serves as a reminder of why situational awareness and self-defense skills are crucial for personal safety. The following report highlights the courage of a woman who managed to fend off her attacker. Her story underscores the importance of being prepared to act quickly in dangerous situations and the value of fighting back to escape an attack.

On Thursday afternoon near the WSU Health Science Campus in Spokane, Washington, a woman sustained injuries after being attacked by a man who had followed her. The incident occurred around 12:15 p.m. when 27-year-old Michael J. Trout targeted the woman after noticing her walking nearby.

According to the Spokane Police Department, the woman managed to escape the assault by using her self-defense skills, including biting, scratching, and clawing at Trout’s face. She contacted authorities immediately after her escape.

The attack began when Trout made eye contact with the woman, smiled, and then proceeded to follow her to her car. As she was placing items in the vehicle, Trout grabbed her from behind, spun her around, and allegedly placed his hands around her throat, squeezing while attempting to force her to the ground. Despite the violent attack, the woman fought back with determination, managing to bite Trout’s hand near her throat, causing him to flee.

Trout discarded several items while running away, which helped police identify him. With the assistance of multiple witnesses and the collected evidence, authorities tracked him down to an apartment near 500 East Everett Avenue, where he was detained approximately 90 minutes after the incident. He was subsequently booked into the Spokane County Jail on a charge of second-degree assault.

This was not Trout’s first encounter with the law; he had a previous conviction for a similar crime in 2022, when he attacked another woman who was walking on the Centennial Trail. In that case, the woman was also able to defend herself and escape. Trout pleaded guilty in 2023 and was sentenced to one year of community custody. He was released from custody in May of this year.

Court documents indicate that Trout has a history of substance abuse and was evaluated for mental health disorders.

This incident emphasizes the importance of self-defense and situational awareness. At Protect Her Path, we advocate for empowering women to defend themselves and take proactive measures to stay safe. By sharing stories like this, we hope to inspire women to seek self-defense training and always remain vigilant.

source: khq.com