Woman fatally stabbed at public library was an aspiring doctor

A woman stabbed to death while sitting in a Massachusetts public library was an aspiring doctor who was beloved in the community.

Deane Stryker, 22, was in the reading room of the Winchester Public Library on Saturday morning when Jeffrey Yao approached her from behind and allegedly stabbed her in the upper torso and head with a 10-inch hunting knife, according to the Middlesex County District Attorney's office.

She suffered about 20 stab wounds in the attack, officials say.

Prosecutor Marian Ryan said at a news conference that Stryker staggered toward the front door and several people tried to help her, including a 77-year-old man who was also stabbed in the arm by Yao.

He is expected to survive.

After the attack, several people in the library held Yao until police arrived.

Police do not have a motive for the attack. The only known connection between the suspect and victim is that Yao attended high school with Stryker, according to the Boston Globe.

As authorities investigate what led up to the attack, neighbors say they warned police about Yao in the months leading up to the attack, the Boston Herald reports.

One neighbor, who was not identified, told the outlet that he warned authorities that Yao "will kill somebody," and that he once tried to "smash our door down" at 3 a.m. late last year.

Other neighbors also claimed Yao started keying cars, slashing tires and smashing bottles in the street in recent months.

Police have not commented on these claims.

Stryker was in her first year of medical school at the University of New England.

"Deane is a special kid and overcame some real obstacles in her life. She decided early on that she wanted to be a doctor," family friend Brad Harrington told WBZ

University of New England president James Herbert said in a statement he was "shocked and saddened" by Stryker's death

Hebert said Stryker was an orientation leader and part of a student organization that provides confidential peer support to other students who need someone to turn to when they are struggling

Yao is facing charges including murder and armed assault with intent to murder and is being held without bail.

Winchester Public Library said they will be closed until at least Tuesday.