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After an impressive Opening Ceremony last night, day one of the Beijing Olympics was marred by the stabbing death of an American. Todd Bachman was sightseeing with his wife Saturday morning when a Chinese man attacked them both with a knife.
The Bachman's daughter witnessed the attack but was not injured. She's a former Olympian and graduate of BYU.
The news has reverberated throughout Beijing. Some people on the streets told us the stabbing took away some of the worldwide camaraderie they've been feeling. But most said they still feel safe in Beijing.
Todd Bachman died from the knife wounds; his wife and a female tour guide who was with them were seriously injured.
The Bachmans have a family connection with the U.S Olympic team. Todd Bachman was a well-known businessman from Minnesota. He and his wife Barbara are parents of former Olympic volleyball player Elisabeth Bachman. She's married to the current U.S. Men's Olympic volleyball coach, Hugh McCutcheon, who also coached at BYU.
The Bachmans and their tour guide were visiting the Drum Tower, a popular tourist attraction in central Beijing, when they were attacked.
According to Todd Bachman's cousin, Dale Bachman, Todd was walking a few steps behind his wife and daughter when he was attacked by a knife-wielding stranger. Barbara Bachman heard the commotion and turned to help her husband.
Dale Bachman said, "When the attack happened, Barbara heard Todd. She turned and went back toward Todd, and that's when she was attacked."
"To me, that was a strong indication of her love. She is a fabulous person," he said.
Relatives said Barbara Bachman had undergone surgery and was in intensive care at a Beijing hospital. Two of Todd and Barbara Bachman's other adult daughters were flying to China to be with their mother and Elisabeth, Dale Bachman said at a news conference in Minneapolis.
The Chinese government says after the stabbing, the 47-year-old attacker, Tang Yongming, leapt to his death from a 130-foot high balcony on the Drum Tower, just five miles from the main Olympics site.
Attacks against foreigners in Beijing are considered rare. Foreigners we spoke with are watching their surroundings more but say they still feel safe.
Teemu Terho of Finland said, "I feel pretty safe because I hadn't heard any of this. But now I feel a bit shocked because I hadn't heard anything about that."
Klaus Mark of Austria said, "We feel very safe, actually. I'm coming into China for 12 years now, and for sure there's a lot more police than I've ever seen. But for sure, people feel more secure."
Eric Elliott of Australia said, "It can happen anywhere in the world. Here would have to be a rarity, probably in the wrong place at the wrong time."
A spokesperson with BYU said the school's thoughts and prayers are with the family during this tragic time.
President Bush, in the Chinese capital for the games, expressed sadness while American athletes and Olympics officials reacted with disbelief.
The U.S. women's indoor volleyball team heard about the killing of their former teammate's father before they took on Japan in a match Saturday. After their victory, player and former Utah resident Logan Tom was obviously shaken.
"We all love (Elisabeth)," she said. "It's hard to put it in words. That's not something that's supposed to happen."
Tom then turned away, crying.
E-mail: acabrero@ksl.com
(The Associated Press contributed to this story. Copyright 2008 by The Associated Press. All Rights Reserved.)
