Rodney Square stabbing victim hailed as a hero

WILMINGTON Thomas Cottingham, convicted of fracturing a man’s skull with a hatchet in 2010 and known as “Cannibal,” was hailed as a hero Tuesday after he was stabbed to death protecting a young mother and her baby from a knife-wielding attacker the night before in Rodney Square, police said.

Cottingham, 27, of Wilmington, was stabbed repeatedly near a bus stop at 10th and North King streets, shortly after 9:30 p.m. Monday, police said.

Calvin Hooker III, 25, of Wilmington, is being held without bail on charges including first-degree murder, Sgt. Andrea Janvier said. Hooker was caught several blocks away after he ran off a DART bus after being spotted by police.

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