At the Finkelstein Memorial Public Library located at 24 Chestnut Street in the village of Spring Valley Senior Center around 5:00 PM, a top Rockland County law enforcement source confirmed the stabbing victim Sandra Wilson, a 52-year-old Spring Valley resident, has died. The stabbing happened around 2:00 PM at Finkelstein Memorial Library up on the 3rd floor. A video posted to social media had shown the local volunteer ambulance core removing the stabbing victim. It was later confirmed that Sandra Wilson, who was employed by the library as a security guard. She was transported to Good Samaritan Hospital by ambulance, where she, unfortunately, succumbed to her injuries.
Shocking to watch this all unfold.
Witnesses who asked to remain anonymous told me the victim, a security guard who was suddenly attacked without provocation by a man with a knife A witness at the scene stated “I noticed the commotion, heard her yelling, And when I looked up I just saw him running towards her she fell back onto the floor backward, and then he looked like he was stabbing her I didn’t see the actual knife, but it was like a stabbing motion. I believe I started yelling to anybody, give me any piece of clothing. I applied pressure. I hope everybody prays for her and she will make it “. because when they took her, there was no pulse anymore. That man told me it was quote beyond shocking to watch this all unfold.
Now a homicide case
A video posted to social media shows police leading a suspect out of the library. Witnesses said several people chased after and jumped on the suspect after the attack, holding him for police. Many in the Orthodox Jewish community use this library, but at this point, no one is connecting this to any anti-Semitic motive. Again witness is telling us a man with a knife attacked a security guard around 5:00 tonight; we learn that guard has died. This is now a homicide case.
Gaudin Blanchard arrested.
The ensuing investigation revealed that the suspect, Gaudin Blanchard acting alone, became annoyed when the victim, performing in her capacity as a security guard in the library, asked him to turn down his music, which he was playing through his earphones. He then attacked the victim, stabbing her multiple times using a kitchen knife, with approximately a six-inch blade, that was concealed on his person. He then attempted to flee but was physically restrained by the heroic patrons until the police arrived.
Gaudin Blanchard was arrested and charged with Murder in the 2nd Degree and arraigned in Spring Valley Justice Court before the Honorable Judge Desir yesterday evening. He was remanded to the Rockland County Jail.
A Notice on the Libraries website has posted:
Due to unforeseen circumstances, the library will be closed Wednesday, February 19, 2020, to Sunday, February 23, 2020