KALAMAZOO, Mich. (Feb. 17, 2014)– The woman who police said was abducted and sexually assaulted in the Westnedge Hill area of Kalamazoo earlier this month has released a statement on YouTube thanking the community and her friends and family for support following the attack.
“We make our city stronger by standing up for each other, being positive forces in each others’ lives, and by making conscious and consistent efforts to improve our city and ourselves, bit by bit,” the woman, who is asking not to be identified by name, said. “I’ve never been more proud of my city.”
Police said the woman was attacked in the early morning hours Feb. 5. Two days later, a suspect in the sexual assault, Brad Mason, was shot and killed by police when they were at his home to interview him. Officials say Mason pointed a gun at them, which they later discovered was an airsoft gun.
In the video, titled “Walking is Still Honest: A Message from the Westnedge Hill Abductee,” the woman expresses sympathy for Mason’s family.
“I’m sorry you have to endure so much judgment while mourning the loss of your family member. I’m sure this is a very confusing and frustrating time for you,” she said. “Please have the strength to get through this.”
