MOBILE, Ala. — A Family Dollar clerk in Alabama who attempted to stop a woman from shoplifting on Thursday was in critical condition after being stabbed, authorities said.

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Takea Chanell Shackleford, 39, was charged with attempted murder, robbery in the first degree, reckless endangerment, theft of property and two counts of leaving the scene of an accident, according to Mobile County Sheriff’s Office online booking records. The charges of theft and leaving the scene of an accident stem from a July 26 incident at a Walmart in Mobile, WPMI-TV reported.

According to the Mobile Police Department, Shackleford attempted to walk out of the Family Dollar store with merchandise she had not paid for, WKRG-TV reported.

The clerk attempted to stop Shackleford, who allegedly cut the employee’s neck with a knife, the television station reported.

“She swung the knife at her three times and my manager was trying to fight back,” another store employee, who was not identified, told WALA-TV. “But by that time, she had already stabbed her in the neck.”

While being taken to the Mobile County Metro Jail, Shackleford told a WALA reporter that the incident was done in self-defense.

“I don’t know what came under me,” Shackleford told the television station. “(She) came at me and I was scared for my life. That’s why I stabbed her.”

On July 26, Shackleford allegedly stole items from a Walmart. While fleeing the store’s parking lot in her vehicle, Shackleford allegedly hit two people, WPMI reported. The victims suffered minor injuries and were treated at the scene, according to the television station.

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