Five women brutally attacked by strangers in Nashville area past few months

NASHVILLE, Tenn. (WZTV) — In less than three months, five women in the Nashville area have been brutally attacked or killed by a stranger while out in public, most of those incidents occurring in broad daylight. All the men involved had some sort of violent past.

The tragic murder of Alyssa Lokits, while simply out exercising on a local greenway, has ignited widespread outrage and a plea for action by local leaders.

Ken Alexandrow, says, "Contrary to what people are saying, we are not safer today than we were five years ago or ten years ago."

Ken Alexandrow, former MNPD officer with over 20 years of service, speaks out after FOX 17 News learned the suspect, Paul Park, has a history of violent crime, including a December 2017 domestic assault charge for grabbing and holding down his father by the neck, restricting his breathing, according to court documents.

Alexandrow says, “The crimes are committed by 10% of the population, and 80% of them are repeat offenders.”

In August, four women, complete strangers, were brutally attacked on separate occasions by two men with extensive criminal records—police say that’s Jacob Thompson, whose history dates back to 2010, and Deontez Drew, a registered sex offender who was released from jail just hours before reoffending.

Court documents show both men beat the women and tried to engage in sex acts before the survivors got away.

Lorraine McGuire with the Sexual Assault Center says, "It's not surprising to hear that the men in these cases have violent pasts, violent crimes in their past, sexual assault or otherwise. Because, unfortunately, especially when it comes to sexual assault, we know that rapists don't just do it once."

Lorraine McGuire with the Sexual Assault Center says sexual assault is a tragic reality of society that will persist until we address it at a higher level.

McGuire says, "Instead of always focusing on what women can do to keep themselves safe, we have to start addressing the bigger problem and making this less stigmatized to talk about."

McGuire calls for increased education on the issue.

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