CAMP SPRINGS, Md. — Retired truck driver Michael Moore of Northeast, Washington was walking into a restaurant in Camp Springs on Nov. 1 when a running man brushed by him. When Moore opened the door into the alcove of Eddie Leonard's Carry Out, he found 75-year-old Elda Robinson bleeding on the floor. She had just been visciously stabbed by the fleeing man, who stole her keys and left in her car.
Moore called 911 and used paper towels to try to stop the bleeding until paramedics arrived.
He worried afterward about who the woman was and if she would survive. Moore admits he was traumatized.
Then on Sunday, Robinson gave a phone interview to WUSA9 after leaving the hospital. She said she wanted to meet the stranger who she credits with saving her life.
Moore heard about the interview and called WUSA9 Monday morning. A meeting was arranged.
"You saved my life," Elda cried as she fell in to Moore's arms in front of her Fort Washington home Monday.
"Oh, baby, don't cry," Moore replied as they embraced.
"I was laying on the ground with blood coming out of my mouth and nobody was there to help until this person walks in," Robinson recalled with tears in her eyes. "He's my guardian angel.
Robinson said the tears stung the many stitches on her face.
"I'm just glad I was there to help you, that's all," Moore replied as the two held hands. "I just wanted closure. It was weighing heavy on my conscience.
Moore said he used paper towels from the restaurant and pressure to stop the bleeding until paramedics came.
Robinson's son, Paul Becker, grew misty with tears in his eyes, too, as he called Moore a hero.
"Even in something as horrible as this you have to remind yourself there are things to be thankful for," Becker said.
After being hospitalized in critical condition for more than a week, Robinson was sent home eight days after the attack to continue her recovery. She has wounds to her throat, eye, face, chest and arms.
James Minor, 30, of Clinton was arrested and charged in the attack. His family members called police after seeing photos of Minor broadcast after the incident. After dumping Robinson's car near a family member's home, Minor allegedly stole his brother's car and fled to his mother's house, according to court documents in the case.
Police say they don't know why he chose Robinson to attack.
Minor is being held without bail in Prince George's County.