Fight Breaks Out, Woman Charged for Box Cutter Assault

Canonsburg police charged a borough woman with simple assault, harassment and fighting Thursday night after accusing her of slicing a woman’s arm with a box cutter.

Police said Cara Lynn Thomas, 22, and her husband, Brian Douglas Reed, both of 215 E. College St., were involved in a fight in front of Valley View Terrace around 11:30 p.m. Thursday.

According to a police report, several witnesses reported that Reed walked out of the apartment building and “suddenly” punched Jessica Gazvoda, 24, of 501 Valley View Terrace, in the face.

Witnesses also told police that several people attempted to restrain Reed, who reportedly punched several other people at the party before getting into a fight with Matthew Dudley.

But when Reed was restrained, Gazvoda said that’s when his wife joined the fray—slicing her in the arm with a box cutter before people were able to take it from her.

Police said Reed and Thomas were taken into custody, and told officers they needed medical attention. When an ambulance arrived, both refused treatment.

The couple was taken to the Canonsburg police station, where Reed signed a waiver of preliminary arraignment. Thomas, though, refused, and became agitated, police said.

After accusing her husband of assaulting her in the police car, Thomas then screamed at police, calling them “racist and corrupt.”

“Mrs. Thomas did not calm for several hours, screaming and punching the cage,” the report continued.

Thomas was eventually arraigned before District Judge Larry Hopkins and remanded to the Washington County Jail after failing to post a $25,000 straight bond.

The police report indicates that the Washington County Jail refused Thomas until her nose was checked by medics. She was then transported to Washington Hospital for treatment.

Police said they expect to file charges against others involved in the fight.