An Oklahoma man is facing multiple charges after allegedly stabbing a former colleague multiple times outside her residence due to an alleged obsession with her. Ronaldo Zavala, 24, is currently being held in Pottawatomie County jail on charges of aggravated assault and battery, assault and battery while masked or disguised, and domestic assault and battery with a deadly weapon.
The incident occurred on a Saturday, when an 18-year-old woman was returning home around 1 a.m. As she was about to enter her house, a masked individual approached her from behind and attacked her, stabbing her in the neck and wrist, according to the Pottawatomie County Sheriff’s Office.
The assailant, while repeatedly stabbing the woman, apologized for his actions, according to Captain Jared Strand of the sheriff’s office. The victim’s mother and brother were awakened by her screams, with the brother rushing to her aid. The brother was also stabbed as he tried to intervene, but his actions seemed to frighten the attacker, who fled the scene before law enforcement arrived.
Upon arrival, investigators began piecing together the circumstances of the violent assault and quickly identified Zavala as a suspect. Evidence collected at the scene pointed to him, authorities said. “He was just obsessed with this female and she had no interest whatsoever, and it just drove him to the brink of committing this crime,” Strand told a local ABC affiliate. Zavala’s obsession reportedly extended to sending the woman unwanted DoorDash orders and gifts.
Zavala and the victim had previously worked together at a local movie theater. However, after the woman lodged a complaint about Zavala’s obsessive behavior, he was terminated. Authorities believe that Zavala continued to stalk the woman and on the night of the attack, he allegedly lay in wait for her to return home.
The victim’s brother, who sustained minor injuries while defending his sister, is being hailed as a hero for his actions. The woman was reported to be in critical but stable condition following the attack. Zavala was arrested on the same day.