Nurse, first responders honored for live-saving efforts in Glastonbury stabbing

GLASTONBURY, Conn. (WTNH) — A recent graduate from Quinnipiac University, Ashley Zimmerman was an ER nurse at Hartford Hospital less than a year when she got a call.

It wasn’t from a doctor or the hospital but from a coach. The victim, Kevin Anderson, had been stabbed in the hallway outside of a gymnastics meet at Glastonbury’s Academy Building back in February.

“There was a huge pile of blood so me and my gymnastics coach went outside to see what was going on, and that’s when I saw Kevin,” Zimmerman said. “He was just covered in blood, and just kind of went from there.”

Glastonbury police say Anderson had been stabbed in the neck, heart and stomach while attending his daughter’s gymnastic meet at the venue. Zimmerman was able to stop the bleeding and keep him conscious until the ambulance arrived.

Zimmerman promised to visit the victim in the hospital while he was recovering.

“I went upstairs and visited him in the room,” Zimmerman said. “He just gave me the biggest hug. He was in tears. He just kept saying thank you.”

An investigation revealed that 52-year-old Marcus McDaniel from Hartford was the attacker. He has since been charged with criminal attempted murder, assault, breach of peace and risk of injury to a minor. His bond was set at $1 million.

On Thursday evening, the police department honored Zimmerman and the team of officers, agents and dispatchers who helped make the arrest in the case.

“We have a civilian tonight who is receiving an award, who was at the right place at the right time and sprung into action and really saved somebody’s life,” Glastonbury Police Chief Marshall Porter said.

The ceremony was held at the Riverfront Community Center.

“It’s actually very humbling, Zimmerman said. “I’ve never been in the spotlight like this before, and obviously, I would do it again.

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