Boyfriend, 31, accused of slashing woman

A woman said she feared she was about to become a human sacrifice when her boyfriend slashed her with a knife Sunday in their Queen Anne apartment, according to criminal charges filed Wednesday. Oumar Lam, 31, was charged in King County Superior Court with first-degree domestic-violence assault and is being held in lieu of $1 million bail.

Heidi Gardner, 26, told police Lam attacked her in their apartment after she came home from work Sunday morning, court documents say. The two have been dating for six months, charging papers said.

The apartment was a mess, according to court documents, and Lam told her he had been up all night praying. He was also naked, charging papers said.

Gardner told police Lam had set up a makeshift altar with a blanket spread on the floor and lighted candles, according court documents. She said her dog was "freaked out."

While she was sitting on her bed petting her dog, Lam pulled a pillowcase over her head and sliced her throat with a serrated kitchen knife, court documents said. He then forced her toward the living room and the altar as she tried to fight him off, charging papers said. He then stabbed her several times. Gardner was able to call 911 from her cellphone, according to court documents.

Lam kept repeating, "Die, die and go alone, you have to go by yourself," according to court documents.

Gardner ran out of the apartment, banged on her neighbors' doors and yelled for help, but Lam dragged her by her hair and coat back into the apartment, charging papers said.

When police knocked, Gardner was able to get to the door and open it while Lam was chanting, court documents said. Officers said Lam was speaking a language they couldn't understand, according to the documents.

Gardner was transported to Harborview Medical Center, where she underwent emergency surgery to stop internal bleeding. She remains hospitalized.

Lam has no prior criminal history. He refused to enter to King County courtroom on Monday and Tuesday for his bail hearing. The arraignment has been scheduled for 8:30 a.m. Feb. 11.

Sharon Pian Chan: 206-464-2958 or schan@seattletimes.com