WEAVERVILLE, NC – A 63-year-old North Carolina man was sentenced to more than a decade in prison after pleading guilty to stabbing his ex-girlfriend during a violent encounter in a supermarket parking lot earlier this year.
Authorities said the incident occurred as the woman was leaving a Publix supermarket in Weaverville. The man, identified as Matthew Miner, appeared without warning while the victim was shopping and trailed her to her vehicle. It was there, according to prosecutors, that Miner attacked her with a folding-blade knife.
Court documents reveal that Miner’s actions were fueled by resentment following the couple’s separation. During interviews with investigators, Miner acknowledged his intention to harm the woman, explaining that he wanted her to feel the pain he claimed she had caused him.
The brutal assault came to an end thanks to the quick response of a store manager, who intervened after hearing the woman’s screams for help. The store employee’s intervention likely prevented the situation from becoming even more tragic. First responders found the victim inside the store suffering from several stab wounds, but she survived the attack.
After the assault, Miner fled the scene. Law enforcement officers later arrested him at his home, where they recovered both the knife used in the attack and the victim’s mobile phone. According to arrest warrants, Miner’s actions amounted to attempted murder, and he was also accused of trying to kidnap the woman to inflict further harm.
During a hearing this week, Miner entered guilty pleas to charges of attempted first-degree murder and first-degree kidnapping. The Buncombe County District Attorney’s Office announced that Miner will serve a prison sentence ranging from 12 to 15 years for his crimes.
Officials credited the fast actions of Publix staff for saving the victim’s life. Prosecutors emphasized that the manager’s intervention was pivotal in ending the attack before it became fatal.
The victim has not been publicly identified. Authorities described her as bravely fighting back despite being prevented from escaping by Miner until help arrived.
Miner remains in custody as he begins his lengthy prison term. There has been no word regarding further legal actions connected to the case, but the district attorney’s office underscored the seriousness with which local authorities treat domestic violence offenses.