A Stark County couple stabbed during a violent attack inside their home says they feared they would be killed and remain deeply shaken as they recover, speaking publicly for the first time after being released from the hospital.
Stark County sheriff’s deputies say Joshua Lee Shaffer, 49, stabbed both of his parents, Linda and Jesse Shaffer, Tuesday evening at their home on Carnwise Street SE. The couple, both 71, had been involved in a head-on crash just one day earlier and had recently celebrated their 50th wedding anniversary.
Linda and Jesse Shaffer were released from Aultman Hospital on Sunday. They spoke exclusively to Jordan Miller News on Monday.
“When I told him it was time for him to go, he just snapped,” Linda Shaffer said. “He grabbed me and started shoving me around, and that’s when I called 911.”
She said her husband stepped in to help.
“Jesse tried to protect me, and that’s when Josh stabbed him,” Linda said. “Then he came back at me and cut my throat.”
Linda said she was on the kitchen floor and struggled to escape.
“I had to pull myself up,” she said. “There were handprints on the countertop from me trying to stand.”
“I honestly thought I was going to die,” she said.
Jesse Shaffer said he believed the attack was intentional and deadly.
“I knew he was trying to kill us,” Jesse said. “I could see it.”
“I fought him with everything I had,” he said.
Both said the violence was unlike any previous behavior they had seen.
“He’d been loud and mouthy when he drank,” Linda said. “But never like this.”
Now recovering at home, Linda said she remains fearful.
“I’m scared he’ll get out and come after us,” she said. “Every noise makes me jump.”
Jesse echoed that concern.
“If he gets out, he’ll hunt us down and finish what he started,” Jesse said.
Jesse said the attack permanently changed their relationship.
“That last episode took everything away,” he said. “I don’t want him near us ever again.”
Deputies were called to the home around 5:25 p.m. Dec. 3 and found both victims suffering from stab wounds. Both were taken to Aultman Hospital by the Canton Township Fire Department. Authorities said Linda Shaffer suffered life-threatening injuries. Jesse Shaffer’s injuries were believed to be non-life-threatening.
Joshua Shaffer was arrested at the scene and charged with two counts of attempted murder, two counts of felonious assault, one count of disrupting public service and two counts of domestic violence. All charges were filed in Canton Municipal Court.
According to jail records, he is being held in the Stark County Jail on a $1.5 million bond.
The Stark County Sheriff’s Office said the investigation remains ongoing.
