A Philadelphia woman’s artistic education became unexpectedly valuable during a terrifying incident involving a masked assailant.
Jameka Wilson, a 25-year-old actress from Philadelphia, found herself in a nightmarish scenario when a man wearing what authorities identified as a “Chucky” doll mask pursued her. The chase unfolded as Wilson was en route to an early morning fitness class on Wednesday, August 12th. With the man following her for only a few moments, Wilson made a split-second decision to pivot and confront him, believing it to be the safest choice.
“The surprise on his face was evident when I turned around,” Wilson recounted during an interview. “He appeared confused, tilting his head side to side as if reconsidering his plan of action.”
“In terms of defense, what he did was essentially make himself vulnerable to various attack strategies I could employ,” she explained.
Jameka Wilson attributes her ability to handle the confrontation to her stage combat training, which provided her the confidence and skills to fend off an attacker in a “Chucky” mask. (Philadelphia Police Department)
That’s when Wilson decided to kick her attacker, “boom, right into the center of the chest.”
Wilson credits her ability to defend herself and read her attacker to her art school education in stage combat.
“My alma mater was the University of the Arts, and I trained with fight masters there for stage combat,” said Wilson. “The whole goal is to understand what the consequences of contact and violence are and hopefully keep your scene partner safe.”
“I feel like these experiences helped me fight off the attacker, as crazy as that might sound,” she said.
A masked man wanted for allegedly chasing and threatening people near Philadelphia’s City Hall is seen on surveillance video wearing a cracked baby doll Halloween mask. (Philadelphia Police Department)
Wilson said she first saw the masked man as he approached another woman across the street who was “absorbed” in her phone. She described seeing the man accelerate toward the woman, “closing distance really quickly.”
“I started to wave my arms and started yelling, ‘Hey, there’s someone behind you,'” Wilson told News Media. “And at that point she heard me, she saw me, and then she started to run away.”
The masked man eventually turned his focus toward Wilson, chasing her until she turned around to fight.
“As for intent, I’m not really sure what exactly it was. I don’t know if he even knows,” Wilson said.
Philadelphia police say the suspect wore a “white baby doll style Halloween mask with black hair” and carried a black-and-blue plaid backpack during the incidents. (Philadelphia Police Department)
Police have identified 22-year-old Zymire Hughes as the masked suspect. An arrest warrant is active, and police believe Hughes may have fled Pennsylvania.
Hughes was also seen that morning near City Hall and asked one woman if she was “ready to die” while chasing others, police told FOX 29. Police said the masked man chased a 40-year-old woman and made threatening comments while holding his hand behind his back.
Philadelphia Police Capt. Jason Smith said, “He was able to accost a good many of people, most of which haven’t come forward yet.”
Hughes was seen on surveillance cameras running up to several people, and was refused service at a Dunkin’ because of his mask. He left the restaurant after showing erratic behavior.