Man stabbed during fight with two Cedar Rapids women

A woman who was being assaulted stabbed her attacker with a kitchen knife in the presence of five children early Saturday, police said.

Police responded around 4:45 a.m. to a disturbance at Westdale Court Apartments, 3954 21st Ave. Pl. SW, No. 2. Officers learned that Dawn Rocarek, 28, and Tamra Paterson, 23, had been assaulted and that the suspect, 36-year-old Patrick Skillom, of Cedar Rapids, had already left.

According to police, Skillom kicked in Rocarek's door and started fighting with the two women. He allegedly struck Rocarek in the face, and kicked Paterson in the head. Their injuries were not serious, police said.

Sgt. Cristy Hamblin said Rocarek was able to get a kitchen knife and stab Skillom in the back.

While police were taking the report, another officer spotted Skillom's vehicle across town, near the corner of 17th Avenue and Second Street SW. Skillom sped away for a few blocks, but then stopped and ran down an alley. Officers stopped him behind his residence, 1785 Mallory St. SW.

Skillom was transported to Mercy Medical Center where he was treated for the stab wound and released, police said. He is charged with first-degree burglary, assault causing bodily injury, operating while intoxicated and driving while barred.

Police arrested Rocarek on a warrant for violating a no contact order and domestic assault. She was taken to the Linn County Jail. Sgt. Cristy Hamblin said she was acting in self-defense Saturday and was not charged for stabbing Skillom.

Skillom remained at the Linn County Jail on Monday, in lieu of $35,000 bond.