An elderly woman, who was stabbed along with her son inside their West Philadelphia home last week by a former neighbor, spoke exclusively to NBC10 news about her brutal attack.
Eighty-seven-year-old West Philadelphia Democratic committeewoman Yvonne Gaines and her 62-year-old son James Brinkley were beaten and stabbed inside their home on the 5600 block of Catherine Street early Tuesday morning.
“This is getting terrible when the elderly cannot have peace in their own home, Gaines told NBC10.
Police say Gaines and her son’s ordeal began when 41-year-old Jimmy Morrison, a former neighbor, knocked at their door asking to use the bathroom.
“When he got to me he grabbed me, punched me in the face and called me a 'B',” Gaines said.
Gaines, who serves the 46th Ward in Philadelphia, was stabbed in the chest and suffered a puncture wound to the torso. Her son suffered numerous cuts and lacerations to his face and body, according to investigators.
“I have never seen people being attacked on TV, now I know what it’s like,” Gaines said.
Local
Breaking news and the stories that matter to your neighborhood.
Police arrested Morrison in Chester on Tuesday. He is expected to be charged soon.
In the past month, elderly across the area were targeted numerous times. Last week, a 78- year-old female was sexually assaulted here inside her Germantown home.
In early July, an 86-year-old was choked and robbed inside a SEPTA elevator.
Fan, follow and download: Get the latest from NBCPhiladelphia.com anytime, anywhere. Follow NBC10 Earthwatch on Facebook. Sign up for our weather newsletter. And, get weather forecasts delivered right to your mobile phone -- just text PHIWEATHER to 639710 to sign up. (Message and data rates may apply.)
