'I thought I was going to die': Man sentenced to prison after choking Lancaster EMS captain, DA says

LANCASTER, Pa. — A Lancaster City man was sentenced to county prison after attacking an EMS captain in November 2025, according to the Lancaster County District Attorney's Office.

Rashaun Sligh, 33, pleaded guilty on July 31 to aggravated assault, evading arrest or detention on foot, resisting arrest, use or possession of drug paraphernalia and public drunkenness.

Prosecutors said Sligh was sentenced to one year less one day to two years less one day in Lancaster County Prison, followed by five years of probation.

The attack happened near South Water and West Farnum streets in Lancaster City on Nov. 6, 2025.

Authorities said a bystander flagged down Lancaster EMS Capt. Robert Patterson after Sligh was found unconscious on the ground.

According to the district attorney, Patterson began rendering aid when "Sligh suddenly grabbed him by the throat and began choking him." Investigators said a bystander helped free Patterson from the chokehold.

Sligh flees before police make arrest

According to police, Sligh fled on foot after the attack before officers attempted to stop him. Sligh ignored the officer's commands and was eventually taken into custody by two officers in the first block of South Prince Street, according to prosecutors.

Police said they had to use a stun gun because Sligh continued to resist arrest.

"After being arrested Sligh continued to make excited, nonsensical statements and appeared disoriented and under the influence of a controlled substance," the district attorney's office said.

Officers found a glass crack pipe and a marijuana grinder in Sligh's possession, according to investigators.

'I thought I was going to die'

WGAL News 8 spoke with Patterson after the attack, who said he feared for his life as Sligh put him in a chokehold.

"He pulled me down to the ground, in a chokehold. I thought I was going to die," Patterson said. "It was just getting tighter and tighter."

Patterson credited the bystander with distracting Sligh long enough for him to break free.

"He at least distracted him enough that I could, you know, maneuver to basically take his airway away so he would release me," Patterson said.

Patterson, a night-shift supervisor who responds alone to some calls, said emergency medical workers often cannot wait for police before helping an unresponsive person.

"People always say 'wait for the police.' But, you know, I have an individual that's lying face down on the street. I can't confirm he's breathing. He's not moving," Patterson said. "If I wait for police, that's the difference between life or death."

He called for additional protections for EMS workers, including body-worn cameras and permission to carry pepper spray or mace.

"I love EMS, I eat, sleep EMS, but we have to do better by the state," Patterson said.