The brutal stabbing of a recently engaged jogger in Washington, D.C., may have been racially motivated, authorities said.
Police arrested Anthony Crawford, 23, Thursday in connection to the killing of 35-year-old Wendy Martinez. He’s now facing a first-degree murder charge after police say he fatally stabbed the woman while she was out jogging Tuesday night.
Wendy Martinez, 35, was stabbed seven times, including in the face, head and neck. (Image courtesy of WUSA 9)
Metropolitan Police Chief Peter Newsham said the incident appeared to be an “unprovoked attack,” adding there was no evidence to suggest it was a robbery. However, investigators mentioned Crawford “doesn’t like white people” and that Martinez’s murder may have been “racially motivated.”
According to WUSA 9, the attack happened as Martinez approached an intersection and was preparing to cross the street. She was stabbed a total of seven times, including twice in the head and once in the right side of her neck.
Authorities said Martinez managed to stumble into a carry-out restaurant nearby, covered in blood, where locals, including a nurse, tried to render medical aid. Surveillance footage released by police shows the injured woman talking with customers before collapsing.
Martinez was rushed to a hospital, where she was pronounced dead at 8:23 p.m., the station reported.
Meanwhile, Crawford, who police said also has a history of mental illness and is addicted to the synthetic marijuana “K2,” fled the scene. A bloody knife and blood-soaked shirt were found several blocks away from the scene of the stabbing, according to police.
“This is one of those types of unsettling incidents that sometimes happens in a large city, but this seems like a singular incident,” Newsham said at a news conference.
Crawford has refused to cooperate with police, authorities said.
On Monday, the victim’s mother, Cora Martinez, said her daughter will be buried in the wedding dress she planned to wear in just a few months.
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