Police say a 15-year-old girl escaped from a knife-wielding assailant in New Haven. The girl was able to take the knife from the assailant, turn it around, and stab the man before running away.

Police say Kevin Wills of New Haven grabbed the victim as she walked to a friend’s house at about 1 a.m. Saturday in the area of Lloyd and Exchange Streets in Fair Haven.

They say he tried to drag her into a vacant home while threatening to kill her. The girl was able to turn the knife on him; however, a strange and resilient move that police say may have saved her life.

The 41-year-old Wills ran from the scene and called for medical attention. At a local hospital he was treated, but police were informed quickly of the unusual nature of his wound. The girl, who had fled for help, was also transported to a different area hospital for her injuries. Police investigation of both situations drew fast parallels and the girl was able to identify her attacker.

Wills faces charges for first-degree kidnapping, second-degree assault, first-degree reckless endangerment, carrying a dangerous weapon, first-degree unlawful restraint, first-degree threatening, and risk of injury to a minor. He’s being held on $500,000 bond and is expected in court this week.

Anyone with information on the incident is asked to contact the New Haven Police Department’s Special Investigations Unit at 203-946-6290.