MONONA, Wis. (WMTV/Gray News) – A Wisconsin woman says a routine evening walk along Monona’s Lake Loop quickly escalated into a frightening situation.
Carly Major was out walking with her dog last Saturday evening when she said she noticed a man approaching her who then began to follow her.
Major was about to make her way home but immediately changed her path when this stranger suddenly appeared behind her so she wouldn’t lead him back to her front door.
“I turned around and noticed after about half a block that he started following me,” Major said. “So I diverted my course away from my home toward the courtyard around Buck & Honey’s [restaurant].”
As Major crossed the waterway, the situation escalated. She said the man took off his shirt and ran across four lanes of traffic, attempting to cut off her route.
Scared, Major ran directly into Buck & Honey’s restaurant to seek refuge.
“I need help. I am being followed,” Major said as she entered.
What started as a routine evening walk with her dog along Monona’s Lake Loop quickly escalated into a frightening encounter for Carly Major.(wmtv)
Inside the Monona restaurant, an all-woman crew working that shift immediately jumped into action outside of any typical job description.
Moments later, the man walked through the front doors, asking employees for Major and her dog.
Staff members immediately formed a protective barrier, blocking his view, directing him out of the building and contacting 911.
“I was immediately taken to a place of safety where I could not be seen outside, and I just received so much support from the staff,” Major said.
Buck & Honey’s manager, Katie Leiter, said her team reacted purely out of protective instinct.
“It was like everybody was going to their battle stations. Everybody was doing their part to make sure that this guy was not going to hurt anyone,” Leiter said. “I had one of my servers run down to the park to warn a woman who was down there by herself to make sure that she was safe too.”
Staff members stayed by Major’s side, even offering their shift meals, water for both her and her dog, and a ride home.
“I love my staff and seeing them behave instinctively this way was just heartwarming,” Leiter added. “They’re amazing people, and they did the right thing.”
The Monona Police Department confirmed officers were dispatched to the restaurant last Saturday night for a report of a suspicious person following Major.
Officers ended up making contact with the man in question. Police noted he showed signs of mental illness and was driven away from the area.
For Major, the relief of having complete strangers step up in a moment of vulnerability is something she says she will carry forever.
“I have strangers that don’t know me that care about me. And knowing that people really do have each other’s backs and care means everything,” Major said.
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