Paighten HarkinsA woman jogging Friday morning in Salt Lake City fought back against a man who came up behind her and groped her.
She was attacked about 6 a.m. in a neighborhood near 1700 South and 500 East, Salt Lake City police spokesman Greg Wilking said.
The woman was carrying a small knife in her hand and stabbed the man multiple times when he grabbed her.
After he was stabbed, the man turned and ran toward a nearby bus stop, and the woman chased after him, Wilking said. He then fled toward Park Street.
“She gave chase for a little bit, and then decided to go back home and make the report to police,” Wilking said.
The woman described the attacker as white, about 5 feet 9 inches tall and 150 pounds. He is “physically fit” and was wearing a grey sweatshirt and a backpack. He is likely between 15 and 30 years old and may have puncture wounds on his arms, legs or chest.
Police are asking for help to find the man. Anyone with information — or who have experienced similar assaults — can call police at 801-799-3000.
“We certainly don’t want to have another incident like this, and we would like to get this person identified and off the street,” Wilking said.
Paighten is an Enterprise reporter at The Salt Lake Tribune. She covers a variety of topics, including business, health, growth and the legal justice system — sometimes all at once. She is from southern Oklahoma, and lived and worked in the state, most recently at the Tulsa World, before starting at The Tribune in October 2017.