Woman disarms Waco man attacking others with chain

Suspect fled after being hit with his own weapon, claiming he was robbed.

Apr. 16, 2026 at 10:57pm

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An extreme close-up of a broken metal chain link reflecting a harsh, direct camera flash, conceptually illustrating the dangers of weapon-related violence.A violent confrontation with a makeshift weapon exposes the risks of escalating street conflicts in Waco.Waco Today

A Waco man is in jail after police say he threatened and attacked multiple people with a chain and padlock early Wednesday morning. When the suspect threatened a woman with the chain, she pepper-sprayed him, took the chain, and hit him with it before he fled, reporting that he had been robbed.

Why it matters

This incident highlights the risks of escalating confrontations with weapons, as well as the potential for victims to defend themselves against attackers. Waco has seen an increase in violent crime in recent years, raising concerns about public safety.

The details

According to police, the suspect, Lawson, threatened and struck multiple people with a chain and padlock before a woman he threatened was able to disarm him. The woman pepper-sprayed Lawson, took the chain, and hit him with it before he fled the scene, claiming he had been robbed.

  • The incident occurred early Wednesday morning.

The players

Lawson

A Waco man who threatened and attacked multiple people with a chain and padlock.

The woman

A Waco resident who pepper-sprayed Lawson, took the chain, and hit him with it after he threatened her with it.

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What’s next

Lawson was taken to jail following the incident. The investigation is ongoing.

The takeaway

This case highlights the risks of escalating confrontations with weapons and the potential for victims to defend themselves, as well as the ongoing public safety concerns in Waco.