Jogger Stabbed to Death in Apparent ‘Random’ Attack in Washington DC

Police have reportedly made an arrest in the case of a woman that was stabbed to death while jogging just a few miles from the White House.

The suspect, who has not been identified, was arrested on the night of Wednesday, Sept. 19, according to NBC.

Washington Mayor Muriel Bowser and Police Chief Peter Newsham are reportedly scheduled to appear at a news conference on Thursday morning to give an update on the case.

Wendy Karina Martinez, 35, stumbled into a Chinese restaurant in Washington’s Logan Circle on the night of Tuesday, Sept. 18, suffering from multiple stab wounds to the neck, police said.

“There were customers in the carry-out at the time,” said Chief Peter Newsham of the Metropolitan Police Department.

“She collapsed, they tried to provide medical assistance to her,” Newsham said. “Unfortunately she was taken to a local hospital, where she was pronounced dead.”

Martinez tried to warn people inside the restaurant about her attacker, witnesses said, but the suspect had already fled the scene, according to ABC.

“A single assailant stabbed her,” Newsham said, adding that “it is more likely a random act than anything else, but we’re going to look at all possibilities.”

“It’s horrible to see something like this happen in the city,” he said, adding that the area is considered to be a “very safe neighborhood.”

Martinez’s family told ABC that she worked for a local software company and was an “avid runner.”

Just last week Martinez and her fiancé, Daniel Hincapie, were engaged to be married.

Wendy Martinez poses in this undated profile photograph from Facebook. (Facebook/Martinez)

“We are deeply saddened by this senseless tragedy. Wendy Karina Martinez was the light of our lives,” her mother, Cora Martinez, wrote in a statement, according to ABC. “Not only was she an avid runner, but she was a devout Christian, a wonderful friend, and a driven professional. Everything you hope that a daughter and a friend could be.”

FiscalNote, where Martinez worked as chief of staff, tweeted its condolences on Wednesday.

“The entire FiscalNote family is shocked and deeply saddened to learn that Wendy Martinez, our Chief of Staff, was killed last night,” the company wrote. “Wendy was an invaluable member of our team and a vibrant member of the community. Our thoughts and prayers are with Wendy’s family and friends.”

The Metropolitan Police Department released surveillance footage of a suspect that showed a man wearing a long-sleeved mustard-colored shirt, flip flops, and white socks.

Police are offering up to $25,000 for information leading to an arrest.

“We ask that you respect our privacy as we grieve the passing of her beautiful soul and inform her friends and family of this terrible news,” the victim’s mother said in her statement, ABC reported. “We also want to encourage the community to please contact the police with any information that may lead to finding justice for Wendy.”