‘It’s inexplicable’: Orange City teen’s face slashed in apparent random attack

ORANGE CITY, Fla. — Orange City police are looking for the person who cut a 15-year-old boy across his face and neck for no apparent reason.

The teen told police the attack happened Saturday afternoon as he was walking home from Mill Lake Park.

READ: Woman in serious condition after being found shot in vehicle in Orlando

Police say the victim was near the intersection of Rose and Oak Avenues when the suspect approached him from behind and slashed his face before turning and running away.

The victim described the suspect as an approximately 6-foot tall black male, possibly in his 20s with short hair.

Police went door to door canvassing the neighborhood for witnesses or video and searched the area both on foot and by air, but the suspect was never found.

The victim’s father, Michael Benson, says he and his son only recently moved to the area, and neither have problems with anyone.

READ: Disney World hotel guest says he packed AR-15, handgun over concerns of ‘civil unrest’ in Central Florida

“There’s no rhyme or reason. He doesn’t know anyone. He hasn’t had a confrontation. He’s just walking back with his ball; it’s inexplicable,” Benson said.

Benson says his son told him the suspect never said a word before the attack.

The boy managed to apply pressure to the wound and get himself to Benson’s store near the scene of the attack.

VIDEO: Orange City teen’s face slashed in apparent random attack Orange City police are looking for the person who cut a 15-year-old boy across his face and neck for no apparent reason. (Charles Frazier/WFTV)

Surveillance video from a nearby business shows the boy running across a lawn, holding his neck. His wound would end up requiring more than 40 stitches.

READ: 3 men arrested on gun charges after gunfire erupts at large house party in Osceola County

“He’s so composed...I think that also helped him survive, especially with the blood loss. He controlled his breathing. He’s just a tough kid,” Benson said.

The Orange City Police Department is asking anyone with information on what happened to contact them at 386-851-7554.

Cox Media Group