DAYTONA BEACH, Fla. — A family holiday turned terrifying for a 13-year-old boy after a seemingly random assault left him with a deep neck wound while walking near the shoreline boardwalk on Valentine’s Day. The victim survived a potentially life-threatening injury and the accused assailant is now in custody facing serious charges.
Terrifying Unprovoked Assault at Night
The incident occurred shortly after 10 p.m. as the teen and his parents were returning to their hotel from an evening out along the Daytona Beach boardwalk. The boy was walking a few steps ahead of his parents when a 44-year-old man approached him unexpectedly and slashed the side of his neck, according to authorities.
Witnesses reported the assailant showed no apparent connection to the family before the attack, which the parents described as completely unprovoked. The teen’s mother noticed something amiss moments before the assault, but the situation unfolded in seconds.
Narrow Escape and Emergency Treatment
Despite the gruesome injury, the teenager was remarkably lucky. He managed to avert a direct blow to a critical artery by mere millimeters, according to medical staff. He was quickly transported to a nearby hospital where surgeons placed around a dozen stitches to close the deep gash and stabilize him.
Doctors told the family that if the blade had sliced just slightly deeper, the injury could have been fatal. The boy’s parents expressed relief that their son survived and thanked the medical team for saving his life.
Suspect Arrested, Facing Violent Crime Charge
Police have arrested a man identified as the alleged attacker in connection with the assault. He was taken into custody and charged with second-degree aggravated battery with a deadly weapon. Court records show his initial appearance took place in mid-February, but details about any plea or defense attorney have not yet been made public.
Authorities continue to investigate the motive behind the assault, with detectives reviewing surveillance footage and witness statements to determine if additional charges could be filed.
