Bystanders helped deputies arrest a suspect who stabbed a 19-year-old woman at Cabrillo College in Aptos Wednesday afternoon, according to the Santa Cruz County Sheriff's Office.
Steven Wooding, 48, allegedly stabbed the woman at 11:45 a.m. and was held down by a cafeteria manager and students until deputies arrived on scene minutes later, according to Sgt. Brian Cleveland.
"It could have been a lot worse, the bravery of those staff members probably saved this girl's life," Cleveland said.
The victim is currently at a Bay Area trauma center in stable condition.
Wooding had received a restraining order from the university a few weeks before because of repeated "harassing" phonecalls, Cleveland said.
Wooding was a student at the college about 10 years ago, when he was arrested and placed in a state mental health facility after attacking a person on campus, according to Cleveland.
Deputies allegedly retrieved a knife from the scene of the stabbing and are currently interviewing Wooding before booking him in jail.
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Counselors will be available throughout the day to assist students and faculty at Cabrillo College.
