A Morriston man is behind bars after stabbing a combined four people at two homes on Thursday.
According to a Levy County Sheriff’s Office (LCSO) press release, Justin R. Bryant, 35, is in the Levy County Detention Center and faces three counts of attempted murder, one count of aggravated battery and burglary of a dwelling.
“Additional charges are expected to be filed,” the LCSO release said.
LCSO deputies responded to the scene near SE 132 Court after multiple 911 calls reported a stabbing at around 4 p.m. Thursday.
The preliminary investigation revealed that Bryant was known to all four victims and had been “hanging out” with two of them earlier in the day.
“The victim(s) told deputies the suspect had been to their home before and borrowed their phone to make a call and were able to provide his name,” the press release said. “Other than this, they did not know him.”
The victims escaped and fled to a nearby home, while Bryant fled the initial scene, according to the LCSO.
Deputies then received another report from a home nearby and found two more individuals “suffering from blunt force object wounds inflicted by weapons of opportunity.”
LCSO deputies and Williston Police Department officers located Bryant in a wooded area near one of the victim’s homes and took him into custody.
“The motive for these apparent random and violent attacks is still under investigation,” LCSO reported. “All four victims have been taken to nearby trauma units and are being treated. Their current conditions are reported as stable.”
According to LCSO, investigators learned that Bryant had stolen a vehicle from a “known associate” earlier in the day. He drove this vehicle to another home, where he stole a truck. He tried and failed to steal a third vehicle at another home.
“This was a large crime scene with eight separate locations that required extensive coordination between law enforcement,” the LCSO release said, citing involvement from the Levy County Department of Public Safety, Williston Police Department and ShandsCair. “This cooperative effort enabled rapid care for the victim(s) and quick apprehension of the suspect.”