Dearborn, MI – The family of a 7-year-old girl whose throat was allegedly slashed in a playground attack by a 73-year-old man has filed a $50 million lawsuit, accusing the suspect of acting out a violent fantasy of killing a child in public. The lawsuit comes more than a year after the horrific assault that left Saida Mashrah traumatized and scarred for life.
The Incident: Daytime Attack at a Dearborn Playground
According to a 10-page complaint filed Wednesday in Wayne County Circuit Court, Gary Lansky, 73, allegedly approached Saida Mashrah at Lloyd H. Ryan Playground in Dearborn on October 8, 2024, and cut her throat open with a pocketknife while she played with other children.
The filing alleges that Lansky “daydreamed about slashing a child’s throat in front of the child’s parents and peers” and drove from his home in Detroit specifically to carry out his fantasy.
“He grabbed her by the chin, yanked back her head, and with the other hand manifested his sadistic fantasy,” the complaint reads. “He dragged his knife across Saida’s delicate neck, opening it. Blood gushed out from Saida’s throat.”
Saida, who was brought to the park by her grandmother, managed to escape after kicking Lansky and running home while holding her neck to stop the bleeding.
“Saida scurried away from her attacker and driven completely by unthinking terror, sprinted the entire way to her home while holding her neck wound with her hands to avoid bleeding out,” the lawsuit recounts.
Police said they responded to the home around 3:45 p.m. and found the child being treated by medics before she was rushed to a hospital. Lansky was arrested later that day and charged with assault with intent to murder and felonious assault.
Investigation and Criminal Charges
Following the arrest, prosecutors confirmed that Lansky had been found mentally competent to stand trial after multiple evaluations by court-appointed mental health professionals.
“Lansky has now been adjudicated competent to stand criminal trial, having been carefully evaluated by mental health professionals,” the complaint states. “In other words, he is able to understand the nature and consequences of his actions.”
Prosecutors say Lansky’s mental illness defense was dismissed after experts determined he understood his actions. Despite the family’s requests, the case has not been labeled a hate crime, as prosecutors said there was insufficient evidence to prove motive related to Saida’s Muslim faith.
The family’s attorney, Nabih Ayad, said the legal team is determined to hold Lansky fully accountable.
“He is a monster that has taken more from [the victim] than could ever be given back to her,” Ayad said during a press conference. “Absolutely horrific. For anyone to treat this as just another attempted murder is outrageous.”
Family Reaction and Emotional Testimonies
At Wednesday’s press event, Saida’s mother, Amirah Sharhan, recalled the terrifying moment her daughter ran home from the park, bleeding and crying.
“Mommy, somebody cut my throat,” Sharhan remembered her daughter saying. “We sleep in one bedroom now — me and my three children. That’s how scared we are.”
A neighbor who heard Saida screaming said she rushed to help with gauze pads as the child cried, “Oh, I’m going to die, and nobody is going to be here with me.”
Saida, now 8 years old, told reporters that the attack still affects her every day.
“I feel scared and I don’t want to go to school anymore or outside alone,” she said. “When I sleep, I feel like the guy is coming back for me.”
Despite the trauma, Saida said she has big dreams for her future.
“When I grow up, I want to be a lawyer so I can let him stay in jail,” she said.
Background Context and Mental Health Debate
Following the attack, Lansky’s wife told reporters that her husband suffered from mental illness, though she did not elaborate. However, the court’s decision finding him competent has fueled debate about the role of mental health assessments in violent crimes.
Legal experts say the case may influence how Michigan courts evaluate competency versus accountability in attacks where mental instability is claimed.
The family’s lawsuit argues that Lansky acted intentionally, with premeditation, and that mental illness should not shield him from full punishment or civil liability. They also allege that authorities failed to recognize the hate-motivated nature of the attack.
“You’d think this is some kind of scary Halloween movie,” attorney Ayad said. “But for Saida and her family, this is real life.”
Ongoing Developments and Legal Proceedings
Lansky is currently being held pending trial on assault with intent to murder and felonious assault charges. The newly filed $50 million civil lawsuit seeks damages for emotional trauma, physical injuries, and long-term psychological harm suffered by Saida and her family.
The Wayne County Circuit Court is expected to hold pretrial hearings later this fall. Meanwhile, Saida’s family continues to advocate for stronger protections for children in public spaces and accountability for violent offenders, regardless of age or mental health claims.
Conclusion
The playground attack on 7-year-old Saida Mashrah has left a community shaken and a family fighting for justice. As both criminal and civil cases move forward, her family hopes the outcome will not only punish the man accused but also bring awareness to child safety and hate-motivated violence in public spaces.
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