Alachua County Sheriff’s deputies apprehended a stabbing suspect following a high-risk traffic stop on SE Hawthorne Road near Rochelle on Wednesday afternoon.

According to an Alachua County Sheriff’s Office (ACSO) release, deputies responded to multiple 911 calls around 2:47 p.m. reporting a physical altercation and stabbing in the 6600 block of SE US Highway 301 in Hawthorne.

Deputies located a victim who had been stabbed multiple times. Alachua County Fire Rescue personnel provided medical attention and deputies gathered information from witnesses who reported the suspect fled the scene in a dark-colored SUV. Witnesses also provided a partial tag number and the direction of travel along SE Hawthorne Road.

Responding deputies observed the vehicle matching the description traveling westbound in the 11000 block of SE Hawthorne Road near Rochelle and, after confirming the vehicle’s partial tag, they conducted a high-risk traffic stop.

The driver, who matched the stabbing suspect’s description, refused to exit the vehicle after repeated commands by deputies, which included cell phone contact. After nearly 20 minutes, the suspect exited the vehicle but refused to comply with further instructions. An ACSO K-9 was utilized to take the suspect into custody.

Both the eastbound and westbound lanes of SE Hawthorne Road were temporarily closed during the incident for the public’s safety and responding personnel.

The suspect has not yet been positively identified, and once his identity and criminal charges are confirmed, further information will be released.