Iowa dad credits his kids’ quick thinking for saving him when an intruder stabbed him multiple times: ‘I think I would’ve lost my life’
An ordinary night at home quickly turned into a terrifying fight for survival for a family in Iowa. A father, Chad Opal, returned home in Council Bluffs on December 23, 2025, after visiting his girlfriend in the hospital. Opal noticed a burning smell coming from a vacant house he owns next door, so he decided to investigate. A stranger was sitting inside. Opal questioned him and quickly started calling the police, but suddenly the man attacked him with a knife. What saved him was his children’s quick thinking, as reported by KCRG on January 15, 2026. His 16-year-old son helped him tackle the attacker, while his 10-year-old daughter dialed 911.
Opal shared that the situation escalated as he started questioning him and began calling the cops. “He started stabbing me,” Opal said. He was attacked outside his home and was allegedly stabbed multiple times, including in the head, mouth, and near his heart. His daughter, Autumn, watched the attack unfold from inside the house and immediately called the police. Opal revealed, “My 16-year-old son came out and helped me, tackling him down and subdued him down.”
Opal said that if his children hadn’t helped, he would not have made it. “If she hadn’t stayed so calm and been on the phone with the cops... and my 16-year-old hadn’t come over, I think I would’ve lost my life,” he expressed. Opal and his son held the suspect down for almost 10 minutes until the cops arrived at the scene. The attacker, Antonio Marquez North, was arrested by the police on charges of attempted murder. Officials stated that North is facing four felony charges, with his arraignment set for January 20, 2026, and his trial beginning on March 3, 2026.
The family has suffered physical and emotional scars due to the attack. For Opal, returning to the house has been difficult. “That was our safe space,” he said. Autumn stated, “The scariest thing to see right now is the blood splattered all over our porch, and the fingerprints on the door from him trying to hold onto it.” Opal has taken off from work and is recovering from injuries to his leg. The incident has been traumatizing for the family, and the children are undergoing therapy to cope with it. His oldest son, who was not at home at the time of the attack, is struggling with guilt over not being able to help.
The family has taken some steps to improve the security of the house by installing cameras and new locks. Opal, talking to the outlet, expressed that the community’s support has helped them through the ordeal, saying, “We live in a great community.” He added, “Don’t let a few bad apples scare you.” They have also reached out to people for support and have set up a GoFundMe to help cover medical bills and therapy costs.