Deputy's fatal shot stops attack

Deputy's fatal shot stops attack

By HALLE STOCKTON


Published: Saturday, August 23, 2008 at 1:00 a.m.
Last Modified: Saturday, August 23, 2008 at 1:01 a.m.
MANATEE COUNTY -
Two Manatee County deputies responded to a report at a home Friday after receiving a 911 call from a woman who told dispatchers she was afraid her husband might kill her.

For nearly 15 minutes, the deputies walked around the yard, looking for signs of trouble at the home in the 7700 block of Westmoreland Drive in southern Manatee County.

Then, about 11:45 a.m., they heard a woman crying inside the residence. The deputies broke in and ran through the home. A woman inside yelled, "He's stabbing me; he's stabbing me."

The officers rushed toward the sound and came upon a man stabbing a woman in her neck and chest, Sheriff Brad Steube said.

One deputy drew a weapon and shot the man in the back, ending the attack. The wounded man, who authorities later said was Michael J. Knowles, 50, was taken to Manatee Memorial Hospital, where he died just before 1 p.m., officials said.

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