JACKSONVILLE, Fla. – Police on Saturday released the identities of the suspect and victim in a fatal stabbing that took place the previous day in a Riverside park.
Officers were called about 2:30 p.m. Friday to Willowbranch Park on Park Street, near the Willowbranch Library.
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Police said they learned an "older" man, who was later identified as 74-year-old Ashley Kraan, had been stabbed.
Just after 11 p.m. Friday, police announced the suspect had been arrested. Police on Saturday morning identified him as Evan Freda, 41. Authorities said he faces murder charges.
Freda, who police said displayed behavior consistent with mental health issues, stabbed Kraan multiple times in the park without warning. Kraan was taken to a hospital, where he died of his injuries, police said.
Officials said they believe Freda was homeless.
According to the JSO crime-mapping tool, there have been 62 crimes reported within a mile of the stabbing scene in the last month. Among those were 13 assaults, 13 vehicle break-ins and eight burglaries.