PUNTA GORDA, Fla. — Surveillance video shows the moment when a man grabbed a pair of scissors and began to attack a second man inside a Florida store.
Deputies with the Lee County Sheriff’s Office said in a news release that the man seen in the video stabbed the victim more than 40 times in the head, neck and torso. Deputies arrested Edmond Clarke for the attack, which they described as lasting for “several minutes.”
The victim’s family identified him as “Tom” to WBBH, and said that Clarke had worked as the victim’s father’s caregiver for 10 years.
In an arrest report obtained by WINK, deputies said that the victim had picked Clarke up from the hospital, where Clarke had been treated for abdominal pain. Clarke had allegedly told the victim he was hungry, prompting them to stop at The Trading Post at Burnt Store Marina.
The video shared by deputies shows the moments after the pair entered the store. In what appears to be an unprovoked move, Clarke can be seen grabbing a pair of scissors from the counter. Deputies said that after attacking him with scissors, Clarke got several knives and continued the attack.
In the arrest report obtained by WINK, investigators said that Clarke was trying to behead the victim.
“This disgusting crime will not be tolerated in Lee County,” Sheriff Carmine Marceno said. “I am proud of the quick response of our deputies that helped save the victim’s life, and the hard work of my detectives to take Clarke off the street.”
Deputies said in the news release that the victim was flown to a hospital and underwent emergency surgery. Though deputies said in their news release that Clarke was arrested on attempted murder charges, online jail records indicate he has been charged with homicide.
People identifying themselves as family members of the victim told WFTX that the victim is still alive, despite the upgraded charges.
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