TACOMA, WA – A Pierce County jury this week convicted a 29-year-old man of attempted murder in connection with a vicious knife attack that left a woman gravely injured while she was walking along a scenic trail in Tacoma.
Nicholas Matthew was found guilty Tuesday following a trial that detailed the harrowing events of February 2024, when Victoria Nizzoli, 34, was attacked without warning at Point Defiance Park. Prosecutors presented evidence that Matthew, armed with a fixed-blade knife, stabbed Nizzoli multiple times in the back, neck, head, and torso during the assault, which occurred in broad daylight.
Court filings described how the attack was both sudden and brutal. Witnesses testified that Nizzoli’s screams for help could be heard around the park, drawing nearby bystanders to the scene. Prosecutors argued that Matthew’s intent to kill was clear, detailing how he made disturbing comments to his victim, including instructing her to tilt her head before declaring that she would soon “meet her maker.”
Despite sustaining serious injuries and significant blood loss, Nizzoli managed to resist her attacker. She used her hands, arms, and even her teeth in desperate attempts to fend off Matthew, according to witness accounts and courtroom testimony. Her determination, paired with the swift response from people in the park, proved pivotal in saving her life.
One of the key moments of the incident occurred when a bystander, identified as J.V., rushed to Nizzoli’s aid. According to statements presented at trial, J.V. confronted Matthew, shouting at him to stop before physically intervening—reportedly kicking him in the head to separate him from Nizzoli. The confrontation forced Matthew to flee, leaving the injured victim to be attended by others until emergency responders arrived.
Nizzoli later testified about her ordeal, describing not only the physical violence but the emotional trauma that followed. She recounted the chilling memory of the knife at her throat and detailed her fight to stay conscious amid the relentless attack. Nizzoli told jurors about her anger during recovery and how she believed justice would ultimately prevail.
Public records indicated that Matthew has a history of mental health challenges, including diagnoses of schizophrenia and depression. During the trial, he chose to represent himself. Nevertheless, jurors were convinced by the prosecution’s case and found him responsible for the crime, ultimately rejecting any defense based on mental impairment.
Law enforcement officials later commended Nizzoli’s courage and praised the quick action of bystanders, stating that their intervention made a critical difference in the outcome. Authorities say the incident has sparked renewed conversations about public safety in the area and the unpredictable risks faced even in well-trafficked city parks.
Matthew, who remains in custody, is expected to be sentenced later this year. No date has been set for his formal sentencing hearing.