A woman accused of stabbing multiple people at Atlanta’s airport last month has waived her preliminary hearing. Damaris Milton, a 44-year-old resident of Orlando, Florida, is facing four counts of aggravated assault with a deadly weapon. The incident occurred during a taxi ride from the Kensington MARTA station to Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport on October 11.
According to the taxi driver, Selemon Melkamu, Milton stabbed him in the upper chest near his shoulder while they were passing the international sign for the airport on Interstate 285 south. She then grabbed his phone and threw it out of the window onto the interstate. After reaching the airport, Milton entered the South Terminal, where she was followed by police officers and a U.S. Deputy Marshal.
Inside the terminal, Milton was seen swiping at a Delta employee with a knife. Despite officers’ commands to drop the weapon, she refused to do so. An officer attempted to stop Milton with a Taser, but it had no effect as she was wearing multiple layers of pants. The police then used pepper spray, but one officer slipped, giving Milton the opportunity to stab him in the leg.
Finally, another officer tackled Milton to the ground. The taxi driver and injured police officer were taken to Grady Memorial Hospital, while the injured Delta employee was transported to Emory Hospital. Milton was subsequently taken to Clayton County Jail, but all individuals involved in the incident have since been released.
The motive behind the attacks remains unclear. Milton is currently being held without bond at Clayton County Jail, with a bond hearing scheduled for Friday morning.
