It was a simple one-word command to stop, but it was delivered forcefully enough to save a young woman's life.
On Wednesday, Armando Gramajo and his daughter Shayla were honored by the Westchester County district attorney for stopping a brutal assault in White Plains in May of 2024.
"The woman had a knife sticking out of her head. They knew he was beating her to death. He could have turned around and slashed at them," said Westchester County District Attorney Susan Cacace.
The victim was texting a co-worker about an apartment when her husband attacked her in a jealous rage.
Carlos Obed-Tovar stabbed his wife 35 times, first in their basement apartment in front of their 6-year-old daughter. He then grabbed a second knife when she managed to run outside.
Gramajo was working on a car when he heard screams and confronted the suspect.
Gramajo practices martial arts and served in the military in his native Guatemala. His daughter is a physician's assistant and rendered life-saving aid.
"I asked her so many questions during that time to say, 'what is your name? And if any way I can translate to the police as well,' but seeing her now, today, the first thing I told her since that moment is 'you look beautiful,'" Shayla Gramajo said.
"I feel good, I'm happy to be here with these two angels," the victim said.
She expressed her gratitude for the two recipients of the inaugural Civilian Hero Awards, which the DA says are meant to honor those who choose to act in the face of danger.
"Had these two not jumped in, she would have been dead," Cacace said.
The victim who underwent multiple surgeries suffered permanent damage to her vocal cords.
Tovar is serving 12 years in prison for attempted murder.
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