EUSTIS, Fla. – A man was arrested Tuesday after a fight led to a stabbing at Ferran Park in Eustis, according to the police department.
According to the Eustis Police Department, the incident was reported around 1 p.m. Officers initially released an image of a man they sought to question in connection with the stabbing.
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However, police later revealed that the subject — identified as James Edward Thompson Jr. — had been found and taken into custody in Leesburg.
News 6 reporter Troy Campbell spoke with Police Chief Craig Capri, who explained that the victim and suspect knew one another and had gotten into an altercation nearby, which escalated at the park.
Capri said there were plenty of witnesses to the stabbing, including a group of children.
“They saw a fight, because it was all close-quarters battle,” Capri said.
As such, Capri stated, police are increasing patrols at the park.
Capri released surveillance video showing the suspect walking through the park shortly before the stabbing.
Despite the video and witnesses, the suspect fled the area, and it took hours for Thompson to finally be arrested.
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Robert Anderson, who lives nearby, said he witnessed the attack.
“That picture you had, that’s the guy for sure, but he disappeared real quick,” Anderson said.
Police said the victim refused to cooperate with investigators, but Capri said that will not stop the investigation.
“I have a problem with that. People fighting, let alone using knives and stabbing somebody in a park where we have kids and families,” he added.
Thompson faces multiple charges, including attempted first-degree murder, violation of probation for battery on a law enforcement officer and aggravated battery with a deadly weapon.
No additional details about the victim or circumstances of the stabbing were immediately released as the investigation remains ongoing.