PPD: Robbery victim stabbed attacker

PENSACOLA, Fla. (WALA) - Two alleged Pensacola purse snatchers may have gotten a surprise Wednesday morning when they attacked Terrance Franklin.

Franklin, who police said was dressed in women’s clothing and a wig, fought off his attackers with a knife before seeking aid from a friend nearby.

Denice Bright can’t keep the smile off her face describing Franklin, the one who calls her “auntie.” She says you can always catch the two of them hanging out on weekends, swapping stories on her stoop.

“He doesn’t bother anybody," Bright said.  "He comes through now and then and visits me, but other than that it was just disturbing.”

‘Disturbing’ is how Bright described Franklin being attacked just down the block from her home.

Pensacola Police said Travis Townley and Vincent Disammartino managed to sneak up on Franklin and attack him.  According to the arrest report, Franklin was thrown into some bushes along West Gadsden Street, before his attackers maced him and stole his belongings. 

But, Franklin fought back.

PPD says Franklin pulled out his knife and stabbed Townley before Townley and Disammartino made off with his purse.  The suspects then ran to the hospital, where they were later caught.

After the attack, Franklin made a bee-line to Bright’s.

“Normally he’d just knock on the door, but he was beating on the door hollering ‘Auntie help me! Help me! Somebody maced me!’  I said, ‘Well, who maced you?’  He said, ‘[he] didn’t know [he] just pulled out his knife and started stabbing.’  So I got some cold water and a towel and rinsed her face off and everything and I called his mom up and the police and everybody came," Bright said.

Bright believes Franklin, who dresses in women’s clothing, was attacked because of his appearance, and that sickens her.

“Everybody has a right to live their own life the way they want to dress or want to live or whatever is their business," Bright said. 

Disammartino is currently in the Escambia County jail facing battery and robbery charges.

According to the arrest report, a warrant affidavit is being completed for Townley to be served when he's released from the hospital.