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Oh's neighbor: Assailant 'was in attack mode'

Elliott Williams, 36, was in a second-floor bedroom Wednesday night when he heard his neighbor, City Councilman David Oh, pull his car up in front of his Southwest Philadelphia rowhouse.

Philadelphia City Councilman David Oh recuperating at Penn Presbyterian Medical Center in Philadelphia. Oh was stabbed near his home late Wednesday evening May 31, 2017 in an attempted robbery. He is pictured with his wife, Heesun; son, Daniel; and daughter, Sarah.
Philadelphia City Councilman David Oh recuperating at Penn Presbyterian Medical Center in Philadelphia. Oh was stabbed near his home late Wednesday evening May 31, 2017 in an attempted robbery. He is pictured with his wife, Heesun; son, Daniel; and daughter, Sarah.Read moreCourtesy / Matthew Pershe, Legislative Aide, Office of Councilman At-Large David Oh

Elliott Williams, 36, was in a second-floor bedroom Wednesday night when he heard his neighbor, City Councilman David Oh, pull his car up in front of his Southwest Philadelphia rowhouse.

The 5800 block of Thomas Avenue, near the city's Kingsessing section, is generally quiet at night, Williams said, but he soon heard commotion outside, including Oh — whom Williams calls "Mr. David" — saying, "No, no."

Williams looked out his window and saw a man approaching Oh, so he quickly ran downstairs. By the time he reached the front door, Williams said, he saw Oh across the street, his bags and keys on the ground, backing away from the man – who was approaching with a knife.

"It was just like [the man] was in attack mode," Williams said Thursday morning, speaking on the porch of his home a few doors away from Oh's house.

Williams didn't recall seeing his neighbor get stabbed — he thinks it may have happened while he was descending the steps. But when he saw the assailant moving toward Oh, he screamed out, "The cops are coming!" and the man ran. Williams then ran across the street toward Oh, who was bleeding through his buttoned-down shirt, he said.

Oh managed to walk across the street with Williams, who fetched him a towel to place on his stab wound.

"He handled himself real strong," Williams said.

Police quickly responded and Oh was taken to the hospital. He underwent surgery overnight and was reported to be doing well.

Williams said the assailant was wearing all black and appeared to be an African American in his 20s. He also said two men, whom he didn't know, were on the street and appearing to film or take videos of the attack, but he said they did not seem like they were working with the assailant, because he ran away and they drove off in a car.

Williams, who has five young foster children, said another neighbor was robbed on the block recently after taking the train home. He tries to look out for everyone on his block.

"I'm the one that's up watching everything," he said. "We're like a family."