A 16-year-old has been charged with slashing the throat of a woman who police said read Bible verses to him as he held a knife to her throat last week in Shelby.
The 32-year-old woman underwent surgery and was expected to recover.
On Feb. 1, the woman and her 15-year-old son had just returned home from church when she was grabbed from behind as she got out of her car, according to Shelby police. The son heard the suspect talking to his mother. Then, the suspect took out a knife and swung at the woman, cutting her on the side of her neck, police said.
That's when she began reading from the Bible to the suspect, who still held the knife to her neck. Police said the standoff continued for about two hours until the suspect apologized and ran away.
On Tuesday, police arrested Miguel Lopez, 16, and another 15-year-old boy in connection with the incident.
Lopez, who was being held in Cleveland County jail without bond, is charged with attempted murder, conspiracy to commit murder, secret assault and kidnapping.
The 15-year-old, whose name was not released because he is a juvenile, is charged with attempted murder and conspiracy to commit murder.
Police said both suspects knew the woman, but they did not elaborate on their relationships.
Anyone with information about the case is asked to call Shelby police at 704-484-6845 or CrimeStoppers at 704-481-8477.
