Convicted Attacker Who Stabbed Tourist In New York

2024 Author: Steven Freeman | [email protected]. Last modified: 2023-12-17 08:15

The deranged attacker who stabbed a random tourist last December was sentenced to six years in prison on Wednesday.

Steven Tlapanco, 20, pleaded guilty to attempted assault as part of a deal to stab 23-year-old Connor Rasmussen in the back of the head, without reason, on December 18, 2016.

Rasmussen and some friends were walking down 46th Street near Madison Avenue looking for a pizzeria when Tlapanco randomly stabbed him with a kitchen knife to the victim's head and then fled.

Surprisingly, Connor did not lose consciousness after the attack and even picked up the weapon to hand over to the authorities who treated him, according to CNN. He was then transferred to a medical center to treat the wound. Although Rasmussen needed nine stitches to close the wound, fortunately he made a full recovery.

Two days before the incident, Rasmussen, who had come to visit from Washington state, surprised his girlfriend by proposing to her in front of family and friends in Central Park.

"It was terrifying to receive that call and try to understand what had happened," said Jordan Asher, the victim's fiancee. “It was being the best weekend of my life. I think God was watching over us."

Judge Robert Stolz had extended the offer of a negotiation sentence agreement to Tlapanco despite the objection of the prosecutors who wanted a minimum of 10 years in prison.

Fortunately, after the terrifying moment in New York, the couple returned to Washington for Rasmussen's recovery.