'I started screaming at the top of my lungs' | Suspect arrested in connection with multiple stabbings (2024)

CHARLOTTE, N.C. — After a suspect was arrested in connection with multiple stabbings, WCNC Charlotte sat down with one of the victims.

A 19-year-old was wanted after the Charlotte-Mecklenburg Police Department said he reportedly stabbed a woman with a knife Wednesday evening. He was taken into custody less than a day later, and police were able to connect him to two more stabbings.

Officers said Josiah Maitland attacked the woman as she was leaving work around 6 p.m. in southeast Charlotte at the intersection of Randolph Road and Sam Drennan Road. He then ran away from the area.

“I got to my car," the victim told WCNC Charlotte's Anna King in an interview Friday. "I had bags in both my hands and I went to reach for my key and I sensed something was behind me. Then I just felt extreme pressure on my back.

She said she didn't know it was a knife at the time as it "felt like [she] was being pounded."

"I turned around and I guess in a defensive, protection, and deflection mode, I put my hand up," she continued. “This happened within 15 seconds."

What she did next may have helped save her life.

"I started screaming at the top of my lungs and that must have spooked him because he ran off," she said.

Now she's left with injuries to her arm and her back.

The victim does not know Maitland. Police believed him to be armed and dangerous as they thought he could still be carrying the knife.

CMPD shared a warning about him shortly after 2 p.m. Thursday, but later updated around 2:30 p.m. that Maitland had been arrested.

In an update shared Thursday evening, CMPD said they were able to tie two additional stabbings to Maitland. One case unfolded earlier in the day shortly after 11 a.m. along Old Mt. Holly Road, near Rozzelles Ferry Road in west Charlotte. Officers said a man was walking his moped to a safe location to make repairs when a suspect matching Maitland's description approached and stabbed him several times. The suspect was able to run away before officers arrived.

While officers continued to investigate the stabbing along Old Mt. Holly Road, CMPD said they were called to another stabbing, this time on a CATS bus along Freedom Drive near I-85. Again, that suspect matched Maitland's description and police verified it was him with surveillance video.

Shortly after, officers started searching the area and arrested Maitland, taking him into custody without further incident.

Maitland is now charged with the following:

WCNC Charlotte reviewed Mecklenburg County court records, which showed Maitland had a handful of recent arrests.

Maitland was arrested in February 2024 by a private police company after he reportedly entered a Dollar Tree without permission and hit someone in the face. In that case, he was charged with two misdemeanors: second-degree trespass and assault and battery.

The next month, Maitland was arrested and accused of stealing someone's 2023 Kia K5 sedan, valued at roughly $27,000. Maitland was charged with felony larceny of a motor vehicle when CMPD arrested him. He was granted a $2,500 bond, which he posted.

More recently, CMPD arrested Maitland on May 21, charging him with misdemeanor larceny. He was accused of stealing food, drinks, and cigars from a Food Lion. Maitland was again granted a bond, this time $500. He posted it as well.

All of the above cases remain pending per court records.

Note: WCNC instituted a policy in March 2021 regarding the broadcast or posting of mugshots.

WCNC will only air or post a mugshot if the person has been formally charged with a crime and in a few other cases. The exceptions include: If it appears the person could be a danger to themselves or others or if they are wanted by authorities; to differentiate between people with a common name; if the photos could encourage more victims to come forward. The news-editorial leadership may also decide to use a mugshot based on the severity of the crime(s) committed and/or the level of public interest in the crime and ensuing criminal proceedings.