Slashed woman fights off attacker in Fenway: Boston police

A woman fought off her alleged attacker after he slashed her with a knife in Fenway early Sunday morning, police said.

Boston police said they responded to a report of a person screaming for help in the area of 137 Park Drive at about 2:21 a.m. on Sunday. When they arrived, they talked to a woman who had been slashed with a knife in an attempted robbery.

She told police that she was headed down the rear alleyway of a building when she heard someone run up behind her. She turned around in time to be knocked to the ground by a man who reportedly tried to take her purse.

According to her statement, the man brandished a large knife and threatened to kill her. She told police that she went on the offensive, throwing punches and kicks. At some point during the brawl, she sustained a knife wound, but kept fighting until the suspect fled. She was taken to a nearby hospital for non-life threatening injuries.

Police combed the area for the man she described as her attacker, who was running from a Northeastern University Police Officer down Saint Stephens Street when police arrived.

According to the BPD, officers cut off the suspect as he fled on feet and wrestled him to the ground. Officers said they found several possessions belonging to the victim, as well as a knife that he had tossed during the chase.

Wayne Barber, 53, of Dorchester faces charges including armed robbery, assault and battery by means of a dangerous weapon and assault with intent to murder.

He was due to be arraigned in Roxbury District Court on Monday.