A man reportedly attempted to rob a woman outside a Madison, Tennessee, Target store and then slashed her with a pocketknife when she refused, according to authorities.
Bradley Ferguson reportedly approached an unnamed Target customer who was leaving the store on the morning of Monday, March 21st, and demanded that she hand over her money.
When the woman resisted and said that she had none, the 29 year old suspect reportedly pulled out a pocket knife and began slashing at her.
The woman immediately went into defense mode, putting up her hands to shield herself from the swinging knife, which caused her to be cut across her left palm and ring finger.
Ferguson then reportedly fled the scene on foot, but was found by officers a short time later.
Authorities took him into custody and charged him with attempted aggravated robbery.
According to reporting from local news outlet WKRN-TV, upon taking him into custody, police learned that Ferguson had an outstanding warrant for his arrest.
In response to the news of the incident, local business owner Chris White, proprietor of Chris White’s Extreme Martial Arts, announced that he would be offering up his services at a free community event on self-defense later this month, according to reporting from WSMV-TV.
“If you got that gut feeling that something is wrong, go with your gut instinct,” White told the news station.
“Walk with your head held high,” he continued. “Make sure you’re looking around, you’re making eye contact with everyone. People who don’t walk with confidence, they look down. They’re the ones who are easily attacked.”
“I would become the loudest individual in the parking lot at the time,” White added. “Try and draw as much attention to you as you can because an attacker doesn’t want you to make any noise. They want you to be quiet. They want you to do what they say.”
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