Introduction to the Incident
Police have arrested a man who they said stabbed three other men during an apparent drug sale in a Westchester neighborhood Thursday night.
The stabbing happened at around 4:30 a.m. at Southwest 16th Street and Southwest 93rd Court. Daniel Lopez, 48, faces three counts of attempted second-degree murder and resisting an officer without violence, according to an arrest report.
Events Leading to the Arrest
Lopez and the three victims were in the neighborhood to buy narcotics, police said. Lopez couldn’t find his wallet and accused one of the men of stealing it, and they got into an argument.
When the two other men got pulled into the argument with Lopez, he took out a knife and stabbed one of the men in the armpit and buttock, police said. He then attacked the two other men, stabbing one in the head and shoulder.
The injured men were taken as trauma alerts to HCA Florida Kendall Hospital. One was in critical condition and the other two were stable.
The Suspect’s Attempt to Escape
Lopez ran from the scene, escaping through a third-floor balcony and even hiding under an abandoned boat to avoid arrest, police said.
When he was arrested, he allegedly spontaneously stated in Spanish, "I’m gonna beat this case. Those three are drug addicts…I’m the innocent one here. They’re the ones who stole my wallet."
Community Reaction
Neighbors in a Westchester community are fed up with what they say are ongoing issues at a home that was the scene of a triple stabbing.
Neighbor’s surveillance video captured what appears to be three men arguing early in the morning. In it, one can be seen falling to the ground, and soon after, another runs away.
"They start fighting," a woman said as she shared the video on her phone. "I’m sorry, I’m shaking. It’s a lot."
Video from the scene shows police tape around a house with two efficiencies in the back. Clothes and shoes could still be seen in the driveway, near a puddle of blood.
The investigation also appeared to center around a black SUV on the grass that was later towed from the property.
"This is bad right now. I’ve never seen it this bad," neighbor Glenn Zimmerman said.
But he said he wasn’t shocked to hear of the crime.
"This isn’t a surprise to me because the police have been there almost every other day it seems like for the last 6 or 8 months," he said. "I had told my wife that something bad was going to happen there and it did."
Conclusion
The incident highlights the ongoing issues with drug-related violence in the community and the need for increased police presence and community engagement to prevent such incidents. The arrest of Daniel Lopez brings some relief to the community, but it also raises questions about the underlying causes of such violence and how to address them effectively.
FAQs
- Q: What was the cause of the stabbing incident?
A: The stabbing incident occurred during an apparent drug sale when the suspect, Daniel Lopez, accused one of the men of stealing his wallet. - Q: How many people were injured in the incident?
A: Three men were stabbed and taken to the hospital, with one in critical condition and the other two stable. - Q: What charges does Daniel Lopez face?
A: Lopez faces three counts of attempted second-degree murder and resisting an officer without violence. - Q: How did the community react to the incident?
A: The community expressed frustration and concern over the ongoing issues at the house where the incident occurred, with some neighbors stating that they had previously reported problems to the police.
