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The New Threat: Mentally Ill Attackers and the Need for Self-Defense Skills

Writer's picture: WSDCWSDC

Updated: Jan 24


Photo of the downtown Denver pedestrian mall where a mentally ill man attacked several people with a knife, killing a woman.
Scene of the pedestrian mall in downtown Denver where the attacks occured(Photo by Eric Lutzens/The Denver Post)

In a series of shocking events over a single weekend, four people were stabbed in downtown Denver, leaving two dead and two others injured. These attacks occurred along the busy 16th Street Mall, a place typically bustling with shoppers, tourists, and workers. The stabbings were carried out by an individual with a long history of mental illness—a grim reminder of an emerging and troubling reality in the United States.


Traditionally, self-defense has been viewed as a skillset to protect oneself from criminals whose motives were often driven by financial or personal gain like:

  • A mugger might demand your wallet

  • A carjacker wants your vehicle.


But today, a new and unpredictable threat has emerged: a violent attack without any apparent motive or gain, often committed by those with untreated or uncontrolled mental illnesses. These attacks are often random, without clear motive, and present an escalating danger.


The Denver attacker, who had a known history of mental health struggles, is suspected of carrying out multiple attacks over the weekend. Over the span of two days, the individual stabbed four victims, tragically killing two. The locations of the stabbings were spread across a busy urban area:

  • A man was stabbed at 16th and Tremont but survived after seeking medical help on his own.

  • Just five minutes later, a woman was stabbed at 16th and California, succumbing to her injuries at the hospital.

  • Another man was attacked at 16th and Lawrence and was hospitalized with serious but non-life-threatening injuries.

  • The final attack occurred the following evening at 16th and Wynkoop, where a man was fatally stabbed.


This wasn’t the work of a criminal seeking financial gain; it was a series of seemingly senseless acts carried out by someone grappling with severe mental illness. This individual has a documented history of mental health issues and had been involved in multiple prior incidents. Yet, the combination of untreated illness and a lack of effective intervention led to a deadly outcome for innocent victims.


The Violence Situation is Growing

The situation like the Denver stabbing is not unusual, and we could go down the rabbit hole documenting countless similar cases. The bottom line is that this problem has grown into a bona fide threat. Across major urban centers in the United States, municipalities are grappling with this alarming reality.

 

Consider Los Angeles: reports indicate that 45% of homeless individuals are “service resistant”—unwilling to take offered free services. Further, 75% of unsheltered homeless individuals surveyed in a California Policy Lab analysis admitted to drug or alcohol addiction, and 78% reported severe mental illness. It’s clear that many of the service-resistant individuals are struggling with substance abuse disorders, severe mental illness, or both.


These statistics are staggering and illuminate a dangerous intersection of homelessness, untreated mental illness, and substance abuse, resulting in unpredictable and sometimes violent behavior.

Why This Matters for Your Self-Defense Training

The rise of violence from individuals with untreated mental illness highlights the urgent need for practical self-defense skills—particularly against weapons. Unlike traditional criminals who might be deterred by a show of resistance, mentally ill attackers often act unpredictably and without rational consideration of consequences. They may be immune to reasoning, fear, or even pain.

Here’s why being prepared is crucial:

  • No Motive, No Warning: These attacks are random, making it harder to spot or avoid potential danger. The Denver stabbings occurred within minutes of each other, giving victims little time to react.

  • Proximity is Deadly: Stabbings often happen up close, leaving little margin for error in your response.

  • Unpredictable Behavior: Mental illness can drive attackers to act irrationally, making their actions harder to anticipate or de-escalate.


Think about this for a moment -- all of the talk by city officials about de-escalation being a necessary part of the Use of Force Continuum is essentially null and void -- precisely because the emotionally disturbed person is not able to be reasonable or rational.


The Self-Defense Wake-Up Call

The Denver stabbings are a sobering reminder of the world we live in today. Violence can erupt without warning, and the motivations of attackers may not follow the patterns we’ve traditionally prepared for. This reality underscores why weapon defense skills are an essential part of your self-defense toolkit.


The time to prepare is now. As we’ve seen, the threat is real, and the stakes are high. By equipping yourself with the self-defense skills and mindset to respond, you can take control of your safety and protect your life.












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