A woman says she was “very shocked” after seeing a blood-covered man plead for help on a Perinton trail, just moments after a brutal stabbing.
The suspect, 30-year-old Derrick Van Epps of Palmyra, was arrested and charged with attempted murder and assault. The victim, Dylan Ghaemi of Fairport, told police the attack appeared random and possibly racially motivated.
Erin Wilson, who spoke with 13WHAM-TV, said she and her boyfriend were finishing a hike Monday when they heard screams.
“We hear someone start screaming for help… we see Dylan. He’s covered in blood,” Wilson said. “We obviously get very shocked and are alarmed. We call 911 right away.”
Court records state Ghaemi was walking his dog and exchanged brief greetings with Van Epps before being attacked from behind and stabbed several times. Ghaemi managed to escape and encountered Wilson before getting to a neighbor’s house.
Perinton’s safety director followed Van Epps’s vehicle to Egypt Park, where deputies arrested him. Police said Van Epps is new to law enforcement. He remains in Monroe County Jail ahead of a court appearance Friday.
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