VANCOUVER, WA – An Easter Sunday family gathering took a shocking turn in Vancouver, Washington, when a young woman allegedly attacked her parents following a heated argument about religious beliefs.
Authorities have charged 19-year-old McKenzy Hafer with two counts of attempted second-degree murder for her suspected involvement in the violent altercation on April 20. According to police, tensions rose when Hafer responded to her father Benjamin Hafer’s Easter greeting by expressing her disbelief in God, prompting a verbal altercation.
Initial reports indicate that after exchanging words with her father, McKenzy Hafer moved to another part of the house to cool down. However, the situation escalated when her mother, Erin Hetzler, approached her to discuss the earlier conversation.
Despite attempting to diffuse the situation by exchanging holiday greetings with her father once more, the altercation reignited. Court documents revealed that McKenzy Hafer was in the kitchen cooking when Hetzler interjected about the earlier discussion, leading to another argument. The verbal spar reportedly turned physical when McKenzy threw her phone on the floor in frustration.
Benjamin Hafer entered the kitchen to inquire about the phone incident, at which point, authorities allege, McKenzy grabbed a kitchen knife and stabbed him in the abdomen. She allegedly proceeded to attack Hetzler, targeting her mother’s throat with the knife.
The chaotic scene left both parents seriously injured, though they are expected to survive. Their son, Dakota Hafer, witnessed the unfolding events but was not involved in the violence.
McKenzy Hafer’s arrest followed swiftly, with police reporting that her statements aligned with the physical evidence and injuries. She is currently held in custody on a $500,000 bond, awaiting her next court appearance scheduled for May 5.
The Hafer incident has sent shockwaves through the community, leaving relatives and residents grappling with the unforeseen violence that erupted under their roof. While the charges cast a long shadow over her future, both parents’ expected recovery offers a critical glimmer of hope amidst the turmoil.