SEATTLE NEWS ARCHIVES & FEATURES
Dori: 9-year-old resolved to protect mom after Tacoma carjacking
Nov 23, 2022, 5:38 PM
Emily and her 9-year-old son were the victims of a carjacking in Tacoma recently. (Photo courtesy of Emily)
(Photo courtesy of Emily)
With heavy morning frost on their car windshield earlier this month, Emily and her 9-year-old son Nicolas spent a few minutes scraping it while their vehicle warmed up outside their Tacoma home.
But in the split seconds before they could leave for work and school, a man pushed his way into their car, parked in an assigned space, and slammed on the gas.
Tacoma hits grim milestone with 40th homicide of 2022
That, Emily told Wednesday鈥檚 Dori Monson Show, caught her by so much surprise that she grabbed onto her car鈥檚 window frame, face to face with the carjacker, before he accelerated, dragging her into the street while the back tire struck her body.
鈥淭he entire time, I鈥檓 screaming,鈥� Emily told Dori鈥檚 listeners. Just when she thought it was over, the carjacker 鈥渃ircles around and comes at me a second time. I remember screaming for my son to run away鈥� fearing Nicolas would want to help her.
In the seconds that it took for the carjacker to escape, terror gripped her thoughts.
鈥淎re they going to kill me or take my son?鈥� she recalls thinking.
And what was Nicolas thinking? Dori asked.
鈥淚t was very scary. I鈥檓 only nine. I鈥檓 too young,鈥� the boy told Dori. 鈥淚 just wanted to help my mom. I was super scared, but I wanted to do everything I could to help my mom.鈥�
More from Dori Monson: Dori: Seattle rider giving up on mass transit after feeling 鈥榣ess safe鈥�
Once she realized that the carjacker had not only her car keys, but the keys to her apartment 鈥� which was linked to her assigned parking spot 鈥� Emily said she had even more to fear. The thief could return to her home.
That鈥檚 why Emily spent the night after the carjacking leaning against her front door 鈥渨ith a knife in my hand, tears pouring down my face. How do I know the carjacker isn鈥檛 coming back? Clearly, he has no problem with violence. Clearly, he has no problem with children being there.鈥�
And Nicolas? He told Dori he remains resolved to protect his mom.
What would you say to the carjackers if they could hear you now? Dori asked.
鈥淣o matter where you are, no matter what time, we are going to find you,鈥� the boy said.
Hear Tacoma mom and her 9-year-old son describe their shock being carjacked:
