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The Spokesman-Review Newspaper
Spokane, Washington  Est. May 19, 1883

Passers-by stop purse robber

Three Samaritans came to the rescue Wednesday night when a 19-year-old man tried to rob a woman at knifepoint on the Post Street Bridge.

The victim, whom police identified only as a 50-year-old Nordstrom employee, is safe. Her attacker was arrested and the weapon seized. But not before one citizen was injured.

Dustin Burton, 32, was stabbed in the chest when he tried to wrestle the knife away from the assailant, said Spokane police Officer Tim Moses. Officials say the wound isn’t life-threatening.

Steven Shoffner faces first-degree assault and robbery charges, Moses said.

The incident happened about 7:30 p.m. Wednesday, when a woman was walking across the bridge. A man fell nearby and asked her for help in an apparent ruse to draw a victim.

That first woman kept walking, Moses said, and the man targeted another woman, demanding her purse while showing the knife.

As the two began to struggle, Moses said, the first would-be victim called 911 – a frantic call Burton overheard as he was walking by. He also saw the struggle between the victim and the assailant and ran to help.

Burton was stabbed while attempting to take away the knife.

Another man went to Burton’s aid, stepping on the assailant’s hand and kicking away the knife, Moses said.

That third Samaritan dropped off the knife at Anthony’s Restaurant without leaving his name, Moses said.

Despite his wound, Burton kept the attacker pinned until police arrived.