Everyday heroes step forward

IT is hard to prepare for viewing violence close up and in real time.

But that's what a dozen or so of us faced earlier this month on the Interstate 90 bridge. We watched a man, in plain view, repeatedly stab his victim, threaten other motorists, and steal a car from a young woman to escape the scene.

If that were not enough, the suspect stepped on the gas of the stolen car, drove it directly at the victim, and ran over him as he drove east on I-90 ["Motorists witness stabbing, hijacking on bridge" Times, Local News, Feb. 2].

The suspect was eventually apprehended about 20 miles east of Seattle, after a chase with police that reached 100 miles per hour. Unwilling to surrender, he was brought down with a Taser while in the stolen car.

Thankfully, the victim appears to be recovering — a small miracle in and of itself.

It would be easy to believe witnesses to such a horrible act of violence would simply freeze — that they would shut down from the shock of what they had just witnessed. Not these people.

I saw them run toward the violence and uncertainty. They gave medical attention with a small first-aid kit. They calmed the other victim, the driver of the car that had been stolen. They directed traffic. They guided police and rescue personnel. They stayed around to make certain the police knew exactly what had happened. They did what they needed to do at the moment they needed to do it.

Later that afternoon, I asked myself, "What has this world come to? What is worth stabbing a man repeatedly in broad daylight and then fleeing the scene?" I am certain I was not alone in my thoughts.

And, then, I realized what the world is actually coming to: For every would-be killer, with such little regard for another life, there are at least a dozen or so individuals willing to come to the aid of a total stranger. I realized there are so many willing to put their own fear aside and approach danger to save another life. They would have done the same for me, and for you, too.

I can only assume justice will be served on the suspect. But I hope he will realize no matter what his intentions, he was ultimately overpowered by the community surrounding him — not only by the police, who did an amazing job capturing him quickly — but by everyday people.

As for the victim, I hope he realizes that this community is still behind him and his speedy recovery. If asked, I am certain the dozen on Feb. 1 would not hesitate to do what they did. All over again.