Woman stabbed at an Ohio church by an animal activist who targeted her ‘because she was wearing fur’

Woman is repeatedly stabbed at an Ohio church by an animal activist, 35, who targeted her ‘because she was wearing fur’

  • Cleveland Heights police say 35-year-old Meredith Lowell stabbed the victim in the arm and abdomen Wednesday afternoon at Fairmount Presbyterian Church
  • The Cleveland victim had taken children she was babysitting to choir practice
  • Victim remained hospitalized Thursday and her condition wasn’t life-threatening
  • Police say a man wrestled Lowell to the floor and held her until officers arrived 
  • Lowell was previously charged with a knife attack on someone wearing fur last November in neighboring University Heights, that case is pending 

Cleveland Heights police say 35-year-old Meredith Lowell stabbed the victim in the arm and abdomen Wednesday afternoon

A woman has been arrested after she was accused of repeatedly stabbed another at an Ohio church because she was wearing fur.

Meredith Lowell, 35, allegedly knifed the victim twice in the arm and once in the abdomen Wednesday afternoon at Fairmount Presbyterian Church in Cleveland’s at Coventry and Scarborough.

The victim had taken children she was babysitting to choir practice and witnesses said a woman ‘suddenly appeared and walked through the wooden doors that leads to the main hall’

She was heard yelling before the attack around 5.15pm and was seen doing what looked like ‘pushing or punching’ the victim before walking away.

It was only when the babysitter saw blood that she realized she’d been stabbed, cops said.

Cleveland Heights Police Department responded to the scene where a man had disarmed Lowell, wrestled her to the floor and held her until officers arrived.

Officers took the suspect into custody and transported her to Cleveland Heights City Jail.

The Cleveland victim had taken children she was babysitting to choir practice at Fairmount Presbyterian Church (pictured)

The Cleveland victim had taken children she was babysitting to choir practice at Fairmount Presbyterian Church (pictured)

The injured female was found holding her left side. She was treated by paramedics at the scene then transported to an area hospital for treatment.

She remained hospitalized Thursday and her injuries were not life-threatening. 

The children were not physically harmed in the attack.

Rev. Jessie MacMilllan released a statements saying that shortly after 5pm ‘an unidentified woman entered the church and stabbed a guest who had entered a few minutes prior’. 

‘The Crescendo Choir children were taken to a secure room accompanied by adults while the perpetrator was being restrained,’ the Rev explained. ‘Church staff immediately called 911 and Cleveland Heights Police and EMS responded promptly.’ 

Lowell was previously charged with a knife attack on someone wearing fur last November in neighboring University Heights

Lowell was previously charged with a knife attack on someone wearing fur last November in neighboring University Heights

Cops reassured the community that a preliminary investigation revealed the incident was ‘not an attack on the church nor was it religiously motivated’.

‘From information learned thus far, it appears that the suspect targeted the victim simply because she was wearing fur,’ the department stated Thursday afternoon amid an investigation.

Police Chief Anne Mecklenburg said Lowell was previously charged with a knife attack on someone wearing fur last November in neighboring University Heights. 

That case is pending.

In 2012 she was charged for hiring a hitman to kill a random fur-wearer but the case was dropped a year later after she was deemed incompetent to stand trial.

A telephone number to seek comment from Lowell’s attorney couldn’t be found.

The reverend said the church will be closed on Thursday and Friday and will reopen on Saturday for the Mock memorial service. Worship services will take place on Sunday at the normal times, 8.30am and 10am. Please keep all involved in your prayers.’ 

They said the Police Department would provide additional visibility in the area of Fairmount Presbyterian for their upcoming services this weekend despite belief it was an isolated incident.

‘We would like to commend those who were present at the church at the time of this incident for their quick actions in contacting the police to report the incident and to those who restrained the suspect to prevent further harm to the victim or anyone else present,’ cops stated.

The suspect was charged with attempted murder and felonious assault. She received a $1million cash/surety bond and is scheduled to appear back in court on Monday.

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