Woman fights off gun-wielding attacker

Friday, November 20, 2009 3:00 AM  |  Printer friendly version | E-mail to a friend | Staff report

KANNAPOLIS — A woman ended up in the hospital after fighting off a robber who tried to shoot her. The gun apparently misfired.

The woman, who lives on Crescent Street, and her 9-year-old child were returning home Sunday around 8:15 p.m. when a man with a gun approached them.

Kannapolis Police Sgt. Chris Nesbitt said Hobson refused to give the man her pocketbook and packages, resulting in a struggle.

During the struggle, Hobson told police, she was forced toward the side of the house.

Hobson also told police the man pointed the gun at her and pulled the trigger. But the gun did not fire.

Nesbitt said Hobson told police the man later pointed the gun in the air and pulled the trigger multiple times. The gun fired.

The man struck Hobson in the head with the gun, possibly multiple times. She sustained lacerations and lost a tooth. She was taken to Carolinas Medical Center-NorthEast for treatment.

Nesbitt said the area off South Main Street is quiet and hasn't had any similar incidents.

The suspect is described as a black man in his 40s, approximately 5-foot-7 and weighing 165 pounds. He had a salt-and-pepper beard. He wore a grey hoodie.

Although police have a suspect, they are asking for anyone with information to call 704-920-4001.