Richton Park home invasion victim speaks out

An ABC7 Eyewitness News Exclusive

Evelyn Holmes Image
Friday, August 19, 2016
Richton Park home invasion victim speaks out
One of the two victims of a violent home invasion in south suburban Richton Park is speaking out for the first time.

RICHTON PARK, Ill. (WLS) -- One of the two victims of a violent home invasion in south suburban Richton Park, Ill. is speaking out about her terrifying ordeal for the first time exclusively to ABC7 Eyewitness News.

Davida Smith said she and her boyfriend were attacked when an intruder who had broken into their home became violent.

"I feel someone touching me. I dust myself off because I thought something was crawling on me," Smith said.

The attack happened early Wednesday morning at the Park Tower apartment complex located in the 3900-block of Tower Drive. Smith said the attack happened a few hours after she and her boyfriend returned to their first floor unit from a night out. Smith said she just moved into that apartment two months ago.

The couple was asleep. Smith said she woke up around 4 a.m. because she felt something strange touching her.

"It alarmed me to get up, and I look around and the intruder is laying next to- on the floor next to my bed, next to me," she said.

The ensuing commotion woke up her boyfriend, who confronted the fleeing intruder as he ran out of the bedroom toward the front door. He was unaware the intruder had a knife.

"They tussled. While they're tussling and he's trying to defend me, the intruder is stabbing him and stabbed him multiple times," Smith said.

Smith's boyfriend survived the attack and remains hospitalized.

Neighbors are being warned to keep their doors and windows locked. Because of the ongoing police investigation, management for the complex would not comment on the incident.

While she remains shaken by the ordeal, David Smith said she felt she had to share her story because she wants others to be aware of the possible danger.

"I'm living in a nightmare because I'm living in a place that I thought was secure," she said.

Investigators said the home invasion in that neighborhood is unusual, but they continue to canvas the area. So far, police have no suspects in custody and no arrests have been made.