DANIA BEACH, FLA. (WSVN) - Detectives from the Broward Sheriff’s Office have released surveillance footage of an “unprovoked” stabbing incident at a gas station in Dania Beach and are seeking the public’s assistance in identifying the attacker.
According to BSO, the incident occurred just before midnight on May 19 at the Sunoco Gas Station at 1201 South Federal Highway.
Initially responding to a reported shooting, BSO deputies reportedly discovered a man who had been stabbed.
Surveillance footage shows the victim at the gas station beside a white truck when the subject, wearing a gray hoodie with “The North Face” logo on the back, approaches and stabs him before fleeing.
“This attack is scary,” said BSO spokesperson Gerdy St. Louis.
The victim is seen in the surveillance video leaning up against the passenger side of a white truck.
“He walks toward the victim, and then makes a sharp left and stabs the victim,” said St. Louis.
The man in gray runs away heading north. The victim tried to go after his attacker but was unable to catch him, according to deputies.
“The victim retrieved a firearm, chased the subject that stabbed him and fired multiple rounds at the individual,” said St. Louis.
A witness nearby heard eight to nine shots.
“They shot that window there and this window here,” said Pablo Cuna.
Cuna, who owns Pablo Cuna’s Cyber Pizza Cafe, showed 7News the bullet holes and shattered glass door as a result of the shooting.
Cuna said he has never experienced gunfire in front of the business he’s owned for 12 years, adding it’s pure luck no one else was hit, even that late at night.
“My reaction, if something happened with me, if I had a gun, you know what I mean? But the problem, you need to [be] thinking, in a couple of seconds, the people that are around, you know what I mean? The people will be around, a lot of people,” he said.
The subject was not hit by the gunfire, but now police want to know who he is.
St. Louis said the subject and victim do not know each other.
“The victim was just standing at the gas station. It’s random,” said St. Louis.
The victim was taken to the hospital by his girlfriend, and a close friend said he would be OK.
Officials urge anyone with information to contact BSO Violent Crimes Detective Allison Craven-Swan at 954-321-4384 or submit a tip through the SaferWatch App.
Anonymous tips can be provided to Broward Crime Stoppers at 954-493-TIPS (8477) or online at browardcrimestoppers.org. A reward of up to $5,000 is offered for information leading to an arrest in the case.
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