Police seek assailant in knife attack near UH

Police are seeking the public’s help finding a man who attacked a university student with a knife last week near the University of Hawaii at Manoa.

Police Sgt. Kim Buffett said the woman sustained major lacerations. "He slashed her seven to 10 times," Buffett said. "She’s got lacerations to her chest, abdomen and her arms."

Police said the woman was walking on University Avenue near Vancouver Drive at about 9 p.m. March 15 when the man approached from behind, pushed her to the ground, and attacked her. The woman struggled and was able to run away.

"It’s a random attack," Buffett said. "She fought him off and he fled. He may have injuries because she scratched him. He may have scratches, unknown where."

The woman was treated and released from the hospital.

Police opened a second-degree assault case.

Police said the attacker has brown hair and is 40 to 45 years old, 5 feet 8 inches to 6 feet tall, and 180 to 200 pounds.

Anyone with information is asked to call CrimeStoppers at 955-8300 or *CRIME from a cellphone.