01-06-2025
Woman attacked in Aurora park encouraging others to take self-defense classes
DENVER (KDVR) — A woman recently attacked in an Aurora park is now encouraging other women to take self-defense classes that she credits with saving her own life.
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Aurora police are still searching for a man accused of attacking a woman on May 8 who was walking on the High Line Canal Trail at about 6:30 a.m. While she wants to remain anonymous for privacy, she has shared her story with FOX31 to bring awareness to other women.
'I felt somebody come grab me from the back. It felt like a hug from somebody that I know, and I thought, did my husband catch up to me?' said the victim. 'This is an attack, I need to fight. I remember thinking, I cannot fight standing up, he's a little bit bigger than me. So, I grabbed his head and we went down together.'
The victim said her mother took her to a self-defense class 30 years ago when she was in her teens. Training that came in use during her attack.
'I put my hands in his mouth, I put my fingers in his eyes, and I thought soft spots. I don't have to fight hard, I have to fight smart,' said the victim. 'My head wishes that I could have done so many more things but I am so freaking proud of me because I felt like the spirit of my mom, my ancestors, my abuelitas fighting with me to just say, you are not going to die today. We are here with you, we're going to protect you.'
The victim was eventually able to fend off the suspect and warn the surrounding women of the attack. Now, the victim is sharing her story with others in hopes that they learn how to protect themselves too, while hosting a free self-defense class on Saturday at the Colorado Krav Maga in north Denver.
'Too often, we live in fear, we're too afraid to walk on trails by ourselves. Honestly, it's very unfair, actually, makes me mad we have to do this, but women need to be able to feel empowered,' said Shannon Lukeman-Hiromasa, Colorado Krav Maga Co-Founder and Co-owner.
Instructors taught dozens of women on Saturday not only physical defense, but also awareness and avoidance tactics.
'As I left the hospital, my first call was to Shannon to say, Shannon, we need to do this for more women because it's not fair that not enough of us have the tools so our bodies essentially freeze because we don't fight back because we don't know how to,' said the victim.
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The suspect is still on the run. Aurora police said he may have injuries to his face incurred during the attack. The agency is still investigating and asks anyone with information to contact the Metro Denver Crime Stoppers at 720-913-7867. Tipsters can remain anonymous and could be eligible for a reward of up to $2,000
Colorado Krav Maga has hosted free self-defense classes for many years. To find out more, visit their website.
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