A Philadelphia woman, Jameka Wilson, says she drew on stage combat training from art school to fend off a masked attacker who had been chasing and terrorising residents during an early-morning spree. The man was wearing a Chucky-style doll mask, and Wilson said her theatrical training gave her the physical skills, including kicks, to defend herself and help end the confrontation. The incident has drawn attention as a striking example of an ordinary skill being used effectively in a real-world safety crisis.

Local police have since identified the masked suspect, though the article gives few further details on his identity, motive or the exact area of Philadelphia involved. Wilson's account credits her art school's stage combat coursework, typically used for staged theatrical fight scenes, with preparing her to respond decisively when confronted by the attacker.