ORANGE PARK, Fla. – A U.S. Marine lieutenant suffered a 24-inch laceration to his back Saturday night and the man accused of stabbing him was arrested on charges of aggravated battery with a deadly weapon after what Orange Park police described as a road-range incident.
Police said the stabbing occurred at 7:42 p.m. in the parking lot of the CVS pharmacy on Park Avenue after Jared Cox unintentionally cut off Tyler Lee Ennis, of Middleburg, on U.S. 17. Officers said Ennis became enraged, followed the victim into the parking lot and confronted the victim, first verbally, then head-butting the victim in the face, causing both men to fall to the ground. Police said Ennis then produced a knife and stabbed the victim in the back before getting back in his car and speeding away.
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The Cox, who is stationed at Marine Corps Air Station Beaufort, S.C., was taken to UF Health Jacksonville with life-threatening injuries. After surgery, authorities said he should recover.
Shortly after the suspect vehicle's description and tag number were broadcast, Ennis was stopped by a Clay County Sheriff's Office deputy at the intersection of Black Creek and Sandy Run drives in Middleburg about 8:30 p.m
"We would like to applaud the efforts of the local medical team and law enforcement for taking care of our Marine and quickly apprehending the suspect," Marine Corps officials said in a statement. "Because of their efforts, the Marine is recovering well and is expected to make a full recovery. This was an unfortunate event and we are thankful for the support from the people of Orange Park and Clay County."
The deputy who spotted Ennis reported a folding knife with blood on it was found during a pat-down of Ennis and that he was taken into custody. Orange Park detectives said Ennis admitted during an interview to the attack.
Ennis was booked into the Clay County Jail, where he posted bond and was released. His booking photo was not released becasue his father was a retired law enforcement officer and state law shields photos and personal information of family members from public records laws.