Good Samaritan recovering from stabbing

SEMMES, Ala. (WALA) - The son of a Good Samaritan, who was injured in a stabbing , said his father is doing okay.

Brandon Cushman, 17, said one of his father's lungs was punctured during the stabbing.

"He said he just felt (what felt like) punches. He said he thought the woman was punching him in the back, but she was just stabbing him, stabbing him, stabbing," said Cushman.

Cushman also said his father works at the Semmes Wal-Mart, but was off at the time.

Mobile County Sheriff's Deputies said 36-year-old Kenneth Cushman was injured when he tried to intervene in a confrontation between a man and woman who were threatening a self-proclaimed evangelist.

Gene Duffy, who was preaching in the Semmes Wal-Mart parking lot, said 26-year-old Jessie Reid and 53-year-old Sandra Jarman came up and threatened him with a knife and handgun.

Officials said that's when Cushman, who was inside a nearby New Horizon Credit Union, attempted to intervene.

A family friend, Sara Rivers, said although she is proud of Cushman, he could have lost his life.

"Nowadays you can't do that anymore. You can't take your heart and say, 'Hey. I'm going to help this person.' Because you never know what people got, a gun or knife. They don't fight fair no more. Not with your hands and stuff, you know," said Rivers.

According to reports, another Good Samaritan, 22-year-old Steven Stuart, attempted to assist and was also stabbed in the back four to five times. He is also being treated at USA Medical Center.

Deputies said Jarman is charged with two counts of first degree assault, possession of drug paraphernalia, attempting to elude police, resisting arrest and carrying a pistol without a permit.

Reid is charged with two counts of first degree assault, contributing to delinquency of a minor, attempting to elude police and carrying pistol without a permit.

Authorities said a 16-year-old male is also being detained.