FLORIDA — An elderly woman has died following a stabbing in a Martin County neighborhood, and a suspect is now in custody, according to authorities.
The Martin County Sheriff’s Office said deputies responded to a call Thursday afternoon regarding a stabbing along Southeast Black Oak Lane.
Martin County Sheriff John Budensiek said during a press conference that neighbors called 911 reporting that a man was stabbing a woman.
When deputies arrived, a good Samaritan was attempting to intervene.
Authorities said the civilian alerted the responding deputy, who then confronted the suspect. The suspect stopped the attack, laid on the ground and dropped the weapon before being taken into custody.
An off-duty deputy who lives in the neighborhood also assisted in providing aid to the victim. She was transported to Cleveland Clinic Martin South Hospital in Stuart, where she later died.
Investigators said the victim was a woman in her 70s who suffered multiple stab wounds.
According to the sheriff’s office, the suspect — identified as 25-year-old Kersten Francilus — lives in a nearby neighborhood with family members. Officials said he had no known connection to the victim and that the attack appeared to be random.
Authorities said the suspect had been seen walking through the neighborhood, knocking on doors and behaving erratically while asking for directions to a bank.
Investigators said a steak knife from the suspect’s home was used in the attack. Officials also noted the suspect has no prior criminal history.
The investigation remains ongoing.
