Fundraiser set to aid stabbed skating instructor

A fundraiser has been set up to aid a skating instructor stabbed in the Hamilton Center Ice Arena parking lot last month.

The Lincoln Center Skate Club is collaborating with Hoosier Sporting Goods on Washington Street to help Emma Baxter through a line of clothes branded Emma Strong. The items are up for sale at the store for the next several weeks with all proceeds going to help Baxter.

She was severely injured during the Oct. 23rd attack. Police were called to the scene at 6:30 that morning after a suspect, later identified as 29-year-old Ryan T. Halligan of Columbus attacked her with a knife at about 6:30 a.m. that morning, as she was on her way in to work at the rink. She tried to flee in her car and he is accused of crashing the stolen vehicle he was driving into her vehicle to stop her.

She was flown by IU Lifeline helicopter to an Indianapolis hospital. Halligan was arrested a short time late and is facing charges of attempted murder, aggravated battery, criminal confinement, strangulation, auto theft, operating a vehicle while intoxicated endangering a person, and interference with the reporting of a crime.

Photo courtesy of City of Columbus