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STAMFORD, Conn. — A woman had her finger slashed by a box cutter while trying to break up a fight on Rippowam Place in Stamford Thursday morning, Sgt. Simon Blanc said.
The victim, 50, told police she saw two women fighting and tried to break it up when her finger was slashed, Blanc said. Police were able to arrest the woman who had the box cutter, Heather Smeriglio-Rivera, 35, the sergeant said.
Smeriglio-Rivera told police that she was walking past two black women who said a racial insult to her, and began arguing with her, Blanc said. She then tried to walk away when one of the other women grabbed her by the hair and threw her to the ground, he said.
While on the ground Smeriglio-Rivera took out the box cutter and began swinging it to defend herself, the sergeant said. During the incident the victim came over and was slashed, he said.
The two women left the scene before police got there, Blanc said.
The suspect was charged with second-degree assault, and carrying a dangerous weapon, police said.
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