Video: Motel clerk brutally attacked with knife

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KENT, Wash.  - Police have released surveillance pictures in a brutal knife attack on a motel clerk at the Days Inn on Meeker Street.

They say a motel guest took heroic actions to stop the attack Tuesday night.

The man police are looking for came into the motel at around 8 p.m., face covered and holding a knife.

He demanded cash from the clerk, and when she hesitated, police say the man jumped the counter and struggled with the woman. She hit him with her phone and he stabbed her in the leg.

Kent police say he tried to find cash. When he didn't, he stormed out a back door and jumped into a dark colored mini van.

Police don't know who the suspect is.

"Don't know why he would do that, don't what other than money he would do that for, because most motels now deal in credit cards and vouchers," said Paul Petersen, of Kent police.

And a clerk at the Days Inn now wonders how her colleague is doing.        

"I was going to change shifts with her, so it would have been me instead of her, so it's scary," said Tonya Santistevan.

KENT POLICE DEPARTMENT

Kent police released still images of the suspect taken from surveillance footage of the attack at the Days Inn Tuesday night.

The suspect is described as 5-foot 10-inches to 6 foot tall and 175 to 200 pounds.

A 21-year-old motel guest is being credited as a hero in the attack. He heard a noise, got dressed, ran to the lobby and provided first aid to the clerk until medics arrived.

Police call it potentially a life-saving action.

The clerk was taken to Harborview with what were described as serious wounds.