Moseley Braun mugged outside home

April 30, 2007 (WLS) -- Former U.S. Senator Carol Moseley Braun thanked two college students who came to her rescue while she was being mugged over the weekend.

Moseley Braun was at the front door of her Hyde Park home late Friday night when she was attacked.

"While it was a very scary situation, I am battered but unbowed. I just had a broken wrist and a couple of cuts and bruises, but I'm still alive today thanks to the heroism of these two young people," said Moseley Braun.

University of Chicago students Rachel McFadden and Zachary Trayes-Gibson ran to help the former senator. The attacker took off.

"A woman's in trouble, you know, so something had to be done," said Trayes-Gibson.

The assailant, who was armed with a knife, was on top of Moseley Braun.

"This guy came at me with a knife in his hand, slashing at me. He was slashing to try to cut the purse strap, but the strap wouldn't break. It wasn't that I was holding on, it was just the strap wouldn't break. And I had on gloves, too, which also saved my hands from being slashed. And he kept backing at it, and I screamed as loud as could and backed away from him and screamed some more. When the strap finally did break, that's when I fell back and that's when my wrist was broken," said Moseley Braun.

When the students approached, he took off. Trayes-Gibson followed the suspect until he pulled out his knife. He got away with the purse in a nearby SUV.

"I just hoped I could find a license plate or get a good description of him or anything, really," said Trayers-Gibson.

"When we look back and saw what was happening, I mean, that image is forever in my head, but yeah, it was scary, and when Zach came back and told his story, you know, scary also," said McFadden.

The 59-year-old self-described recovering politician now has a little physical recovery to do. Her left arm is in a sling, and she has some small cuts on her hand. But on Monday morning, she said she feels lucky and praised the quick response of the two biology majors.

"I was just very blessed, and again, I'm just so grateful to Rachel and to Zach and to my neighbors and to the good Lord for keeping me here," said Moseley Braun.

Police are looking for the suspect.

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