What would you do if you were facing a man that was 50 years younger than you and holding a knife? If you were James Vernon, a 75-year-old Army veteran, you wouldn’t hesitate one moment! When he came up against this man with 2 knifes, he took immediate action and as a result, 16 children between the ages of 7 and 13 are now alive.
Mr. Vernon had been taught hand-to-hand combat when he was in the Army, some 50 years earlier. That knowledge never left him and after the perpetrator showed up with a knife, he went into action. His fast thinking saved lives.
The children hid under tables while Mr. Vernon had the man with a knife trapped in a corner. He was able to disarm the man, even though he was severely cut, lacerating two arteries and a tendon.
“I gave them the cue to get the heck out of there, and, boy, they did that. Quick, like rabbits. There were no more potential victims in the room. He focused on me. There was no more talking.”
The attacker had been planning the attack for 2 weeks and when he came into the area, he had two knives available. It was his aim to kill as many of the children as he could, then he would kill himself.
Fortunately, his plans were foiled by this quick thinking individual. He still faces charges of attempted murder, aggravated battery and armed violence. Incidentally, he is also up on 22 charges of child pornography. We live in a sick world…
