CANTON, Ohio — A couple in Stark County has opened up about a harrowing attack in their home, expressing their fears of a repeat incident as they recover from what they described as a life-threatening assault. Linda and Jesse Shaffer, both 71, shared their traumatic experience shortly after being discharged from the hospital, revealing the severity of the violence they endured at the hands of their son.
On Tuesday evening, Joshua Lee Shaffer, 49, reportedly attacked his parents, stabbing them at their residence on Carnwise Street SE. The incident occurred just one day after the couple had been involved in a head-on collision and only weeks following their celebration of 50 years of marriage.
Speaking to the media for the first time since their release from Aultman Hospital, Linda recounted the frightening moments leading up to the attack. “When I told him it was time for him to go, he just snapped,” she said. According to Linda, the confrontation escalated quickly: after she called 911, her husband intervened to protect her. Tragically, that effort led to Jesse being stabbed before he could secure Linda’s safety.
Describing the chaos, Linda recounted her desperate struggle for survival. “I was on the kitchen floor and trying to pull myself up,” she said, noting the marks left on the countertop from her attempts to escape. With emotion in her voice, she reflected on her fear during the ordeal, stating, “I honestly thought I was going to die.”
Jesse shared a similar sentiment, believing the assault was premeditated and lethal. “I knew he was trying to kill us,” he stated, illustrating the gravity of the situation they faced. Both Linda and Jesse had never witnessed such aggression from their son before, although Linda acknowledged that he had exhibited unruly behavior when drinking.
After the attack, the couple is now grappling with lingering fear and anxiety. “I’m scared he’ll get out and come after us,” Linda expressed, her voice trembling as she described every sudden noise inducing panic. Jesse echoed her concerns, stating, “If he gets out, he’ll hunt us down and finish what he started.”
The violent altercation will have a lasting impact on their relationship with their son. “That last episode took everything away,” Jesse said, lamenting how the episode irreparably changed their family dynamic. The couple insists they never want Joshua back in their lives again, emphasizing the profound shift the assault has caused.
The Stark County Sheriff’s Office reported they responded to the home around 5:25 p.m. on December 3, finding both victims with stab wounds. Linda sustained life-threatening injuries, while Jesse’s were deemed non-life-threatening. Both were immediately transported by the Canton Township Fire Department for emergency care.
Joshua Shaffer was apprehended at the scene, facing multiple charges including two counts of attempted murder and domestic violence. He is currently detained at the Stark County Jail, held on a bond amounting to $1.5 million. The ongoing investigation by local authorities aims to uncover further details surrounding the attack as the community grapples with the implications of such violence occurring within a family.