Deane Kenny Stryker was sitting in the reading room of the Winchester Public Library on Saturday when police say Jeffrey Yao came up behind her and began stabbing her with a 10-inch hunting knife.
In the chaos of the Winchester stabbing, bystanders in the library did their best to try to stop the attack. One of them, a 77-year-old man, was injured in the process.
“It’s a tragic situation. I express my condolences to the family of the young girl,” said Lester Taber.
A longtime supporter of the Winchester Public Library, Taber was in the reading room Saturday when the attack occurred. According to police reports, he attempted to stop the accused killer, Jeffrey Yao, as he stabbed a woman seated nearby.
When Taber yelled at Yao to stop, police said Yao turned and cut Taber with his knife.
“Approximately five inches long, maybe at the deepest a half inch,” Taber said of his wound. “As you see, it’s on the upper shoulder, and I’m going to be fine.”
According to prosecutors, Kenny Stryker suffered 20 stab wounds, including one to her neck.
While Taber did not want to comment on the details of what happened, he said the ordeal was devastating for the community.
“It’s a tragedy,” Taber said, “You can see it can happen anywhere. If it happens here, it can happen anywhere.”
The library was closed Monday. According to the director, it will reopen Tuesday.
