Victim of knife attack speaks out

BUFFALO, N.Y. (WIVB) - While authorities search for the suspect in a New Year's Eve attack, the victim is talking about the ordeal for the first time.

Lindsay Harmon says she'd like to talk to her attacker.

"She's not gonna win," Lindsay exclaimed.

Choking back tears, Lindsay is speaking on camera for the first time since a New Year's Eve attack.

It happened outside a gay bar on Main Street as Lindsay, her girlfriend and her friend were leaving the bar and going to their car.

Two females began taunting Lindsay and her friends.

"I just remember standing there and an argument started and it got worse," she explained.

The scene escalated.

She said, "Guys were in it, girls were in it. I was just like, let's go, let's go. I just wanted to go home."

She says it all happened so fast.

"I remember the one guy saying, she's got a knife, and I just remember walking away and all of the sudden I just got nailed."

Lindsay said the girl attacked her from behind and she fell to the ground, still not knowing she had been stabbed in the eye.

"I just remember looking and seeing all this blood and I just thought still that she punched me," she recalled.

Lindsay's friend was by her side immediately.

"I just remember looking up at her and saying, I can't see!"

Lindsay was rushed to ECMC, where she had surgery on her eye. She is still on medication and doctors don't know what her outcome will be.

Lindsay said, "Every two hours, I get drops in this eye."

The woman didn't just hit her eye that night.

"I have stitches here, she cut me here and then she stabbed me in my arm."

Despite anti-gay slurs being directed at Lindsay and her friends that night, Buffalo police still are not calling this a hate crime. Though the case has certainly gotten the attention of gay groups across the country.

Lindsay's girlfriend created a Facebook page in her support and 15,000 strong and growing.

A complete stranger has offered a $5,000 reward for information leading to an arrest.

"I don't know how she's not scared," Lindsay exclaimed.

Lindsay said in a way she feels bad for the young woman who did this to her. After all, she says, most people wouldn't go out at night carrying a knife on them.

She's staying positive about her situation and is thankful for all the support by family, friends and the entire community.

If you know anything about the attack, Buffalo Police want to hear from you. You're asked to call the Confidential Tipline number at 847-2255.