The Echo of a Saturday Night: Attempted Homicide Rocks Bloomsburg

The sleepy calm of a Saturday morning, the kind you might find settling over a college town like Bloomsburg, was, for one individual, violently shattered. It was just after 1:20 a.m. on November 2nd, you see, when East Seventh Street became the unlikely backdrop for a scene ripped straight from a suspense novel. A man, later identified as Christopher Lee Nattress, a Mahanoy City resident, is now facing a rather grim litany of charges, the most serious being attempted criminal homicide, following what authorities describe as a brutal stabbing.

Imagine, if you will, the chilling sequence of events as alleged by the Columbia County District Attorney’s office. Nattress, according to court documents, pursued his victim—whose name, for now, remains out of the public eye—along that stretch of East Seventh. Then, without much warning, or so it seems, a knife was reportedly produced. What followed was a terrifying ordeal: multiple stab wounds inflicted upon the victim. And, honestly, it gets worse. Even as the injured person tried desperately to flee, Nattress, it’s alleged, persisted in his attack, a relentless pursuit of violence that must have felt like an eternity for the one being targeted.

The victim, wounded and undoubtedly shaken to their core, was ultimately rushed to Geisinger Medical Center in Danville, a testament to the severity of their injuries. Meanwhile, the assailant, Christopher Lee Nattress, fled the scene, vanishing into the early morning gloom. But, thankfully, the story doesn't end there. Bloomsburg Police, alerted to the horror, responded swiftly, and after a brief but determined foot chase, Nattress was apprehended. Justice, or at least its initial steps, was swift in this case.

The charges are, as mentioned, quite extensive: attempted criminal homicide, naturally, but also aggravated assault, simple assault, recklessly endangering another person, and even terroristic threats. You could say it paints a picture of a truly volatile encounter. Appearing before Magisterial District Judge Russell Lawton, Nattress was subsequently denied bail. And, in truth, given the gravity of the accusations, one can understand why. He now sits awaiting a preliminary hearing, scheduled for November 12th, where more details, undoubtedly, will emerge.

Now, this isn't Nattress's first brush with the law, it seems. A quick glance at his record reveals existing bench warrants from Schuylkill County for failing to appear at hearings concerning possession of drug paraphernalia and resisting arrest. He's also contending with separate drug charges right there in Columbia County. So, yes, while this particular incident is jarring, it hints at a perhaps troubled history, adding another layer to a story already steeped in disturbing events.

Bloomsburg, a town usually known for its university and quiet charm, now finds itself grappling with the echoes of a violent act. And as the legal process unfolds, many will surely be watching, hoping for clarity and, ultimately, for justice to be fully served.