John Earl rescued David Soles and attempted to rescue Terry L. Johnson from assault, Florence, South Carolina, June 26, 1998. Soles, 29, and Ms. Johnson, 33, were standing in the parking lot of an apartment building when Ms. Johnson’s estranged husband arrived at the scene by car. Producing a handgun, the husband leapt from the car and opened fire on Soles and Ms. Johnson as he approached. Wounded twice, Soles sought refuge beneath a parked vehicle. Ms. Johnson was mortally wounded. In his vehicle at an intersection adjacent to the parking lot, Earl, 49, mechanic, witnessed the assault commence. He immediately ran to the scene, shouting to the assailant to stop the attack. As the assailant pulled out a knife and attempted to use it against Soles, Earl grabbed him and, after a struggle, disarmed him. Earl then used a rope to tie him up while they awaited police. Soles was hospitalized for treatment of his injuries, and the assailant was arrested and charged with murder and aggravated assault.
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