San Diego, California — A routine trip to an ATM became a terrifying ordeal for a pregnant woman when a stranger allegedly approached her from behind and repeatedly stabbed her outside a Target store in the Mira Mesa neighborhood.
The woman was 25 years old and four months pregnant when the attack happened on June 15, 2024, at approximately 10 a.m.
She had driven to a drive-thru ATM to withdraw money and apparently stepped out of her vehicle to reach the machine. As she was using the ATM, Cole Klemke approached from behind and allegedly began stabbing her without warning.
Stranger Allegedly Stabbed Woman Multiple Times
According to authorities, Klemke stabbed the woman in the neck, chin and shoulder, causing her to fall to the ground.
The attack reportedly continued even after she was down. But the victim fought back. She kicked Klemke, prompting him to run away from the scene. The woman then managed to get back inside her vehicle and desperately tried to control the bleeding while waiting for help.
She later described the severity of her injuries in a statement reported by local media.
“There were too many wounds to cover with two hands.”
Emergency responders eventually arrived and transported her to a hospital. Despite the seriousness of the attack, she was released from the hospital later that same day.
Police Quickly Identified the Attacker
Investigators worked to determine who was responsible for the apparently random attack.
According to the San Diego Police Department, detectives reviewed photos and surveillance video showing the suspect inside the Target shortly before the stabbing. Police eventually released images of the suspect to the public.
Community members helped investigators identify the man as Cole Klemke, who was 27 years old when he was arrested. Authorities took Klemke into custody the following day.
Investigators also found the circumstances of the attack particularly disturbing because it happened in broad daylight. Sgt. Erich Drilling reviewed video of the incident and said the footage showed that the woman appeared to have no idea Klemke was approaching her.
Klemke did not say anything to the woman before attacking her and did not take any of her belongings, raising questions about why she was targeted.
Attacker Pleads Guilty to Attempted Murder
Nearly two years after the stabbing, Klemke’s criminal case has reached its conclusion.
This week, he was sentenced to 10 years in state prison after pleading guilty to attempted murder, according to local NBC affiliate KNSD.
The sentence brings a measure of legal accountability after an attack that left the victim facing both physical and emotional consequences.
Although she did not reportedly attend the sentencing hearing in person, the victim provided a remote statement describing how dramatically the attack changed her life.
Victim Says Scars and Trauma Remain
The woman said she is grateful to have survived and has worked hard to rebuild her life since the stabbing.
But surviving the attack did not mean leaving it behind.
“I’m grateful to be alive and have worked very hard to rebuild my life, but this crime left permanent physical scars, lasting emotional trauma, and burdens that my family and I continue to carry every day.”
The woman was pregnant when she was attacked, making the sudden violence especially frightening. She was simply attempting to withdraw money when an unknown man approached her from behind and turned an ordinary morning into a life-threatening emergency.
Her survival, the quick work of investigators and assistance from community members ultimately helped bring the attacker into custody.
Now, with a 10-year prison sentence, Klemke will spend years behind bars for the attack, while the victim and her family continue dealing with the lasting effects of what happened.
What are your thoughts on this frightening attack? Share your reaction and thoughts in the comments below.
