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TAYLORSVILLE — As a Taylorsville couple continues to recover from a violent home invasion that police say was committed by a 15-year-old boy who picked his victims at random, friends of the couple are trying to raise money for their medical bills.
Early Wednesday, a couple was asleep in their bed when the teenager entered their home, in the area of 4800 South and 3400 West, through an unlocked door "with the intent to commit an assault," according to police.
The family had no relationship or prior dealings with the boy, and police believe the attack was completely random.
The boy began stabbing the husband as he slept, prompting him to fight back as his wife ran out of the house to get help. The teen chased her down, however, and stabbed her multiple times while she was on a neighbor's front porch.
One of the couple's friends posted on social media that the couple fought back with all they had and survived.
Both the husband and wife suffered what police called "life-threatening injuries," but were later pronounced "stable" at a local hospital and were expected to survive. Their young son was asleep in another room and not injured.
Taylorsville police have not released the couple's name. But according to social media posts and a GoFundMe fundraiser* set up to help the family, JJ and Ashely Dasher were the victims of the violent attack.
The woman who set up the fundraiser said both of Ashley Dasher's lungs and one of her husband's collapsed due to injuries sustained in the attack.
"Ashley had to have exploratory surgery, where they found a hole in her diaphragm. It has been repaired," the site states.
The GoFundMe campaign is to help raise money to pay for the family's medical bills and therapy they are expected to undergo to help them process the trauma they endured.
"We have been forwarding your love to them as you have messaged us and called us. Thank you for loving them so big and for supporting them," the site's organizer wrote.
On Facebook, one man who calls JJ Dasher a "great friend," posted late Wednesday: "I can't believe this happened to him and his family in this random act of violence. I just chatted with him and he is in good spirits. Their son luckily slept through this."
*Disclaimer: KSL.com has not verified the accuracy of the information provided with respect to the account nor does KSL.com assure that the monies deposited will be applied for the benefit of the persons named as beneficiaries. If you are considering a deposit or donation you should consult your own advisers and otherwise proceed at your own risk.
