A Florida man, identified as Joseph McDonald, 31, is facing first-degree murder charges after allegedly stabbing a visitor to death in his home. The incident occurred on Sunday when two men arrived at McDonald’s residence to smoke marijuana with his brother. McDonald, who was not invited to partake in the activity, reportedly became enraged and attacked one of the men.
The victim, whose identity has not been disclosed by the police as of Monday, had come to the house specifically to meet with McDonald’s brother, according to local Fox affiliate WOFL. A witness at the scene told police that an argument ensued when McDonald was excluded from the marijuana session, leading to a rapid and deadly escalation.
Initially, police were called to the scene under the impression of a shooting. However, upon arrival, they discovered it was a stabbing incident, as detailed in a Facebook statement by the Volusia Sheriff’s Office. The 21-year-old victim was found with a severe abdominal injury, and despite attempts by the witness to provide aid and call 911, he did not survive.
The victim, before being rushed to a hospital in Deltona, was able to indicate the house where the incident occurred but could not provide further details. McDonald was apprehended a few hours later, hiding in a bush approximately three miles from his home.
The arrest, captured on video and shared on Facebook by the Volusia County Sheriff’s Office, shows police surrounding McDonald, who was visibly injured. His hand was bleeding and wrapped in a makeshift bandage. He was subsequently transported to a hospital in Sanford, where medical officials confirmed his hand appeared to have been cut by a sharp object.
McDonald, who had only been living at the residence for a few months prior to the incident, was reported to have been dealing with mental health issues for several years. As of Monday, he is being held without bond at the Volusia County jail.