COLUMBUS, Ind. — Columbus Police Department detectives identified the suspect in a Oct. 23 stabbing as Ryan T. Halligan, 29, and the victim he allegedly attacked as 34-year-old Emaly "Emma" Baxter.
Police had been called for a disturbance in the parking lot at the Hamilton Center Ice Arena. Police say Baxter was arriving for work as an ice skating instructor when Halligan approached her. She tried to drive away, but Halligan crashed a stolen car into hers.
Police said Halligan then assaulted and stabbed Baxter before running off as police arrived. Baxter was flown to a hospital in Indianapolis and was listed in stable condition.
Officers were able to track down Halligan a short time later. Halligan is hospitalized and in police custody. Police said their investigation found he did not know Baxter.
The Bartholomew County Prosecutor's Office has officially filed charges in the crime. He is now facing five felonies and two misdemeanor charges:
- Attempted murder - Level 1 felony,
- Aggravated battery - Level 3 felony
- Criminal Confinement - Level 3 felony
- Strangulation - Level 6 felony
- Auto theft - Level 6 felony
- Operating a vehicle while intoxicated, endangering a person - Class A misdemeanor
- Interference with the Reporting of a Crime - Class A misdemeanor
A warrant has been issued for Halligan's arrest as soon as he gets out of the hospital.
