Waitress survives throat slashing

Live Oak police: Woman survives thanks to self-defense training

Investigators are searching for the man who attacked a waitress then slashed her throat late Sunday night.

Police said the man approached the woman from behind around 10:30 p.m. Saturday outside the Lion and Rose Pub in the Forum shopping center near I-35.

"This young lady was standing near the back entrance of the restaurant, taking a break, and was apparently approached by an unknown person," said Live Oak Police Sgt. Anita Seamens.

The waitress is identified by management as Andi Chamberlain. Police say her attacker lifted her off her feet and began dragging her.

But the young mother fought back.

Chamberlain elbowed her assailant, causing him to drop her. Seamens says the man then cut the victim's throat twice and took off.

She was able to go back into the restaurant for help.

Chamberlain survived her injuries and was released from the hospital the next day.

"This young lady had taken the time to familiarize herself with some self-defense and she had received some instruction," Seamens said, "and that, to me, that is what saved her. ... I would advise anybody, young or old, male or female, to learn how to defend yourself. We live in society where this can happen no matter where you are."

Police describe her attacker as a man around 5 feet 9 inches, with a thin muscular build. He was wearing a light blue shirt and dark pants at the time. He has tattoos on his forearms made up of dark, heavy lines.

As police follow leads, they ask for the public's help to catch the man responsible.

"If you were at the Lion and Rose Pub and saw anything unusual- somebody acting differently or something that caused you concern," Seamens said. "Our best witnesses sometimes are merely people driving by who noticed something unusual."

Restaurant management says they are handing over surveillance video to Live Oak police and investigators are reviewing footage from surrounding businesses.

Seamens says that the investigation is still in its early stages so certain information is not ready to be released.

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About the Author:

Myra Arthur is passionate about San Antonio and sharing its stories. She graduated high school in the Alamo City and always wanted to anchor and report in her hometown. Myra anchors KSAT News at 6:00 p.m. and hosts and reports for the streaming show, KSAT Explains. She joined KSAT in 2012 after anchoring and reporting in Waco and Corpus Christi.