I have these Specialized Pathfinder tires on my gravel bike. There is a slick strip in the middle so the rolling resistance is less on tar, but it has enough grip on the side when you corner on gravel roads.
Sorry to hear about your ordeal. Hope the guy was arrested! I use the same route when I commute to work and that is the stretch that I am most afraid of! Are the metro police not suppose to patrol that route in the mornings and afternoon?