Man demands money for heroin, stabs victim in front of his children at Publix, police say

Suspect urinated on emergency room floor after arrest

ORLANDO, Fla. – Orlando police said a transient stabbed a man panhandling at a Publix Saturday evening with his children after demanding money for drugs.

Authorities said that the victim told police he was trying to get money to pay his electric bill. He was standing near the Publix on Americana Boulevard and John Young Parkway with his children around 5:45 p.m. when he was approached by the suspect, later identified as 55-year-old Ladon Shiver, and a woman.

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The victim told police Shiver demanded money to buy heroin. When the victim said no, the woman told Shiver to stab the victim, according to the report. Shiver then pulled out a knife and attacked him, stabbing him in the stomach and punching him in the face, according to the report. Police said Shiver grabbed the knife out of the victim's stomach and left.

Police said the victim's children witnessed the attack and were nearby.

A Florida Highway Patrol trooper was pulling into the Publix parking lot when he heard someone yelling for help. He chased the suspect in his patrol vehicle and held him until Orlando police arrived.

The trooper told police he saw Shiver throw something in the trash. The knife was later found in the trash can, according to the report.

The victim was transported to a local hospital in stable condition. 

After his arrest, Shiver was taken to Orlando Regional Medical Center because he complained of chest pains. While in the Emergency Room, police said Shiver asked to use the bathroom. Police said he would need to wait and called for a nurse.

Shiver replied, "(Expletive) you, I'm just going to piss on the floor" and then proceeded to urinate on the examine room floor, according to the report.

After receiving treatment at ORMC, Shiver was booked into the Orange County Jail.

Shiver is charged with sanitary nuisance, tampering with physical evidence, attempted second-degree murder, aggravated battery with a weapon and child abuse.


About the Authors:

Jack is a Digital Content Editor with a degree in creative writing and French from Western Michigan University. He specializes in writing about movies, food and the latest TV shows.

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