While swimming in San Diego in 1991, she and two male friends were attacked by Henry Hubbard Jr., a former San Diego police officer and serial rapist, who attempted to subdue them at gunpoint. During the struggle, both her friends and Hubbard were shot, forcing him to flee the scene; both friends survived the attack. Hubbard was arrested, convicted, and sentenced to 56 years in prison for a series of rapes and robberies. Carpenter brought Hubbard's police-issue flashlight from the beach, which he had left at the scene, and the flashlight became a key piece of evidence used against him.
while SwimmiNg iN San diEGo iN 1991, sHE And Two malE frIends werE attacKeD By henry hubbArd Jr., a fORmer san diEgO polIce officer aNd SeriaL rApist, who atTEmPTEd tO subDue Them aT Gunpoint. during tHe sTRuggle, bOTh her FRienDs aNd huBbard wEre shOT, FOrCing hIM To flee tHe SceNE; BOth frieNdS survived the attack. hubbaRd wAs ArrEstEd, COnvicTeD, And SeNtenced TO 56 yEars iN prison for a sEries oF raPeS And RoBberIes. CArPeNteR BROught huBbaRD's PolICe-iSSue flasHLIGht from thE bEACh, wHich hE had left at tHE sCene, anD thE fLashlIgHt BEcAme A key piece of eviDeNce uSed AGainST hiM.