Stranger Risks Her Life To Help Woman Escape Ax-Wielding Attacker Chasing Her
A heroic stranger swooped in to save a woman who was running for her life when a man spontaneously started chasing her with a hatchet.
Like a real-life horror movie
It was still dark outside when Gina Hopkins-Calligan noticed she was being chased by a man with an ax. And according to a police report, she did nothing to provoke him.
"He was just screaming. He was galloping at me with the ax, like this just ready to chop me to pieces, he looked determined to kill me," Hopkins-Calligan told Fox 10. "I was just screaming, waving my arms. I probably looked like a crazy person."
Panicked, Hopkins-Calligan tried to wave down drivers to stop and help her. Fortunately, one did.
"She said something to me, and turned on this street and let me into her car," said Hopkins-Calligan.
Stranger to the rescue
The driver that stopped was identified as Emily Regester and she was on her way to class when she noticed the jogger running for her life.
"I saw an altercation. It was dark, so I wanted to make sure she was OK, so I turned right here and met her, asked if she was OK," Regester told Fox 10. "She said no. So she got in the car, and we called 911."
Hopkins-Calligan said she credits Regester for the rescue, but the driver disagreed. "She absolutely saved herself, I would say," said Regester. "She’s a very fast runner."
Hopkins-Calligan wonders if she would have been able to survive if she wasn't able to run so fast.
"It’s scary to think what if that were not me? What if that were an elderly person who could not run away from him?"
Gina Hopkins-Calligan
As for the ax-wielding suspect, police identified him as 25-year-old Joshua Eicher and said he was still in the area with the hatchet when they picked him up. He's currently in jail facing a felony count of assault with a deadly weapon.
The driver is a hero
While no one wants to be in the position of the jogger, running for your life from a lunatic with an ax, we all should aspire to be the driver.
She helped a complete stranger without hesitation, and she certainly should credit herself for being a hero.
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Military Dad Defends His 4 Little Daughters When Strangers Make This Rude Remark
Military Dad of 4 Daughters Defends His Girls When Strangers Make This Rude Remark
Austin von Letkemann is the military officer strangers feel "sorry" for — and the reason is infuriating.
Whenever the devoted father leaves the house with his four children, strangers can't help but notice the officer in uniform is holding hands with 4 adorable little girls. They will tell the traditionally "masculine" and "all American" dad they feel sorry for him, because he has no sons. This dad makes one thing very clear: They are his daughters, they aren't a burden.
In a passionate video, von Letkemann took to Instagram to share with his followers that the only thing that's "difficult" about being a girl dad — is clapping back to these sexist remarks over and over again.
They Mock His Daughters To Their Face
When strangers approach Austin von Letkemann and his four daughters, they don't always realize that their comments are being overheard. They seem oblivious to the fact that his girls understand every word. Von Letkemann describes how people will approach him and, without thinking, make remarks like "I'm sorry" or even joke about his lack of sons. What they don't realize is that these comments, intended to be light-hearted or humorous, can be deeply hurtful to his daughters. These strangers are not just disrespecting von Letkemann's choices as a father; they're also sending a message to his daughters that their presence is something to be pitied. It’s a message that von Letkemann won't stand for, and he's speaking out to defend his girls from these insensitive remarksSaying "Get Your Shotgun" Isn't Funny — It's Sexist
Another common comment that Austin von Letkemann encounters is the old "better get your shotgun ready" trope, often delivered with a smirk or a wink. This line is typically intended to suggest that a father with daughters should be on high alert to protect them from potential "suitors," implying that they are objects to be guarded rather than individuals with agency.
Von Letkemann finds this line of thinking outdated and sexist. In his viral Instagram video, he points out that these jokes are not just stale — they're damaging.
By suggesting that his daughters require armed protection, the joke reinforces the idea that women are inherently vulnerable and need to be shielded from men. Von Letkemann argues that instead of promoting this narrative, society should focus on teaching respect and consent, challenging these sexist tropes at their source.
Watch Austin von Letkemann's Video:
"If I Had A Fifth Child, I'd HOPE It Was A Girl" — One Dad's Message For Other Parents
Despite the constant remarks about his lack of sons, Austin von Letkemann is clear: He wouldn't trade his daughters for anything.
In fact, he told his Instagram followers that if he were to have a fifth child, he would hope for another girl. This declaration isn't just about doubling down on his pride in his family — it's a pointed response to those who see fathering daughters as a misfortune.
Von Letkemann's stance is a powerful one, rejecting the notion that a family is incomplete without sons. He encourages others to question the assumptions behind these comments and to appreciate the joy and fulfillment that his daughters bring. By sharing his story, von Letkemann hopes to create a more inclusive perspective on fatherhood, one that values daughters just as much as sons.