WINCHESTER, Mass. (AP/WHDH) — A young woman from Winchester is being remembered for her contributions to the community.
Police say a man approached a woman from behind at a public library near Boston and stabbed her repeatedly with a hunting knife, killing her and injuring an elderly man who came to her aid.
Middlesex District Attorney Marian Ryan says the 22-year-old woman, now identified as Deane Kenny Stryker, was seated at one of Winchester Public Library’s reading rooms Saturday morning when 23-year-old Jeffrey Yao stabbed her with a 10-inch knife.
Police say there is no motive determined yet.
Ryan said the woman headed toward the door and a number of people came to her aid, including a 77-year-old man who was also stabbed. Ryan said the man suffered non-life threatening injuries.
Stryker was home from college for the weekend, according to friends, and was studying at the library.
Loved ones say the 22-year-old was in medical school and was studying to be a holistic doctor — they called her a healer. The president of the University of New England said in a Facebook post that she was a first-year medical student at the school.
She spent her time volunteering at a Winchester church and synagogue caring for children in and outside of the congregations.
Yao and the victim both went to Winchester High school, but there is still no word on a motive at this time.
Yao is charged with murder and will appear in court Monday. A phone number for him could not be found.
The Winchester Public Library will remain closed for several days. They released a statement that said in part, “Our thoughts are with the young woman’s family and those who were injured and deeply traumatized.”
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