Transgender woman fights off date who slit her throat

A 22-year-old transgender woman named Tayla Smith, courageously defended herself against a violent attack during her first date with Kordel Stewart, a 24-year-old man she had met on a dating app just days earlier in Houston, Texas.

Tayla said she had used dating apps but had never met up with anyone before Kordel Stewart and the two had discussed her being transgender before they decided to meet.

The traumatic incident unfolded in late September when Tayla invited Stewart to her home. When he arrived, Tayla searched his backpack and only found clothes. The two proceeded with what was supposed to be a casual date; a movie and shared a meal, according to Newsweek.

The situation took a terrifying turn after the pair began kissing. Stewart suddenly pinned her down, covered her mouth, and drew a knife, ultimately slitting her throat. Recalling the incident, Tayla stated, “I guess it was in his shorts, and he just slit my throat at the same time as he covered my mouth.”

Faced with a life-threatening situation, Tayla summoned incredible strength to fight back, realizing the urgency of the peril she was in. She recounted, “At this point, I’m like, ‘Oh my gosh, Tayla! If you don’t fight back, you’re going to die. He’s going to get this knife out of your hands, and he’s going to stab you to death.'”

After the struggle, Stewart was apprehended and subsequently charged with aggravated assault with a deadly weapon. He is currently held in Harris County Jail with a $125,000 bond.

Tayla was taken to the hospital where she received stitches for injuries sustained during the attack, particularly in her neck and hand, where she managed to grab the knife, ultimately surviving the life-threatening encounter.

Because Tayla made Stewart aware of her transgender identification, she does not believe that this was a hate crime.