Victoria police Const. Lane Douglas-Hunt was just holding the door to the 7-Eleven store open for a man when he attacked her with a knife.
Her impeccable physical condition and recent training on defence against edged weapons helped save her life, her mother said.
“Her fitness, her quickness is what saved her,” Mary Douglas-Hunt said from Royal Jubilee Hospital Tuesday, while her daughter underwent surgery on her left hand.
Lane, 24, had been working on an investigation into the theft of a chocolate bar from a convenience store in the 800-block of Douglas Street.
She normally works with a partner, but special circumstances separated them Monday morning.
A 57-year-old man, known to police, targeted Lane because of her police uniform, VicPD Chief Jamie Graham said.
The fight that ensued cut Lane’s neck and right hand, and did severe damage to her left hand.
Meanwhile, Saanich resident Blair Bater, 45, couldn’t help noticing a woman was in need of help as he drove on Douglas Street. Bater stopped his car and jumped out to help Lane, who graduated from Lambrick Park secondary school where she played basketball.
“It was just reaction, I just seen somebody that needed my hand,” Bater said.
Bater lunged at the attacker, then held him to the ground on his stomach, with Bater’s knee in the man’s back. Soon, Rob Caunter, who works for the Downtown Victoria Business Association joined in, helping to restrain the man.
Lane’s hands were so badly damaged she couldn’t operate her handcuffs. She passed them to Bater, who cuffed the attacker.
Police officers arrived and took the suspect in custody.
Guy Herve Seguin remains in custody, charged with attempted murder.
Bater said Lane’s uniform is not what compelled him to help.
“I just saw a lady that needed help,” he said.
His generally negative attitude toward police officers “didn’t become part of that process. If it was anybody getting stabbed, you know – the uniform doesn’t change anything.”
ecardone@vicnews.com