Family Says Strangers Saved Life Of Lander Store Clerk Stabbed During Robbery

The family of a Lander convenience store clerk credits the quick actions of strangers for saving the woman’s life after she was stabbed several times by a suspected burglar. The people who saved Dayle Mefford’s life have not been publicly identified because they are witnesses in the ongoing investigation.

On the morning of April 21, during what prosecutors describe as a violent attack at the convenience store, a handful of strangers stepped into the chaos to help the injured clerk, then disappeared back into their lives, said Aiko Miller, the victim’s daughter. Miller said one person used a vehicle to “scare off” the attacker as the violence escalated. Others rushed to the wounded woman and began administering first aid before paramedics arrived, pressing against the stab wounds and trying to keep her alive. “My mom told me with confidence that she would have been dead if it wasn’t for him being scared off with a vehicle as the attack was getting more violent with each hit,” Miller said.

The good Samaritans have been identified by investigators but will not be publicly named because they are key witnesses in the criminal case. Miller said her mother is recovering but does not want to talk about the attack just yet. “My mom is pretty private,” Miller wrote. “She has been through a lot and still has to go through the pain of having to put it all on paper for the judge.”

In her only public statement since the attack, Mefford posted to Facebook on April 30: “I appreciate you all; thought, prayer, empathy, skill, comfort. You rock the spectrum. Now … STOP giving them your time, space in your emotion, space in your thought. It isn’t worthy of any one of you n yours.” Miller said her mother is more worried about how the event has affected the community than about herself.

The alleged assailant, 18-year-old Lorenzo Hopper, is accused of stabbing the clerk during what investigators say was part of a chaotic overnight crime spree involving multiple break-ins around town. Hopper now faces an attempted murder charge and several additional felonies. Last week, a handwritten letter from Hopper to the judge was made public. He said he wants to apologize to the victim “face to face,” referenced alcohol abuse and shame, and wrote, “I hope to show different in the future. For I am done drinking and done soaking in my own sorrows.” He also appealed to finish high school before dealing with his charges.

Miller said the family has been overwhelmed by the community’s support. “We are beyond grateful to the good Samaritan that stepped in and scared that man off and administered wound care,” she wrote. “It saved my mom’s life.” She also praised a second stranger who helped tend to wounds until emergency crews arrived. “We praise God that she is still alive,” she said.

Hopper will next appear in Fremont County District Court for a May 21 arraignment. If convicted of attempted first-degree murder, he could spend between 20 years and the rest of his life in prison. Donations for the family can be made through an account at First Interstate Bank ending in 0589.