Urgent: Daytona Beach Attacker Strikes Twice in Hours, Arrested

UPDATE: In a shocking series of events, a homeless man, Jermaine Lynn Long, 44, is now behind bars after allegedly slashing a juvenile’s neck in Daytona Beach just hours after a brutal sledgehammer attack on another man. This disturbing timeline raises urgent questions about police response and community safety.

The attack on the juvenile occurred at approximately 10:08 p.m. on February 14, 2024, when Long approached the victim near 18 S. Ocean Ave. and violently slashed his neck before fleeing. Fortunately, the juvenile survived but suffered severe injuries. This incident follows a previous attack where Long allegedly struck a man with a sledgehammer at a nearby 7-Eleven just 10.5 hours earlier, around 11:30 a.m. the same day.

Court records reveal that although police established probable cause to charge Long for the sledgehammer attack, he was not arrested at that time. Instead, he remained free until the more serious slashing incident led to his arrest. Assistant State Attorney Robin Hutcheson has since filed a motion to keep Long detained, citing concerns that “there are no reasonable conditions of release that can protect the community from harm.”

Witness accounts from the 7-Eleven incident paint a frightening picture. The victim reported that Long attacked him with the sledgehammer and chased him into the store. A cashier recalled the chaotic scene where a woman pleaded with Long not to bring the weapon inside, fearing for the safety of children present. Although the victim did not sustain major injuries, he exhibited signs of extreme distress, indicating a genuine fear for his life during the confrontation.

Long’s criminal history is concerning, including previous charges of aggravated assault and battery. He was released from the Volusia County Branch Jail just four days before the slashing incident after prosecutors declined to file charges related to an earlier attack involving two men. The State Attorney’s Office is now reviewing that case in light of these alarming developments.

A hearing on the prosecutor’s motion to determine Long’s threat to the community is scheduled for 10 a.m. on February 19 at the S. James Foxman Justice Center in Daytona Beach, where officials will assess the risk he poses if released.

As this situation unfolds, the community is left grappling with the implications of these violent attacks and the judicial system’s role in preventing potential future incidents. The urgency of these events cannot be overstated, as officials and residents alike seek answers and justice for the victims involved.

Stay tuned for updates as more information becomes available.