'Random' stabbing wounds priest having coffee in downtown St. Augustine

(This story was updated to accurately reflect the most current information.)

A St. Augustine priest is recovering after being stabbed in a random attack having coffee downtown Wednesday morning, according to the Episcopal Diocese of Florida .

The St. Augustine Police Department had issued an alert for about 9:45 a.m. for a stabbing suspect on a bicycle, advising to expect a heavy police presence downtown. Within the hour a 22-year-old woman was taken into custody and charged with attempted murder, aggravated assault with a weapon and battery. She's had two other local battery arrests in the last two years, St. Johns County jail records show.

The stabbing occurred around 8 a.m. near San Marco and Rohde avenues, and police told TImes-Union news partner First Coast News it was related to the attack on Rev. Matt Marino of Trinity Parish . No motive was revealed, but they said the stabbing appeared to have been random and that the two did not know each other.

The Times-Union requested the arrest report from the Police Department Wednesday and Thursday but had not received it as of the afternoon. However, First Coast News was able to obtain it and learned the woman also approached an employee earlier that morning at the North Ponce De Leon Boulevard McDonald's and asked, "Can you help me with something?" She grabbed the employee's arm and showed a knife, but the victim was able to pull back.

She then headed east on San Marco Avenue and stopped at Juniper Market where Marino and another person were sitting outside, the report said. She said "Excuse me, sir" and then stabbed the victim "unprovoked," the report stated. The stabbing penetrated his lung and without the "life-saving efforts of EMTs on scene the victim very well could have died."

The Episcopal Diocese of Florida issued the following statement:

"The Standing Committee is sharing the news of an incident that occurred earlier today. Fr. Matt Marino, Rector of Trinity Parish St. Augustine, was stabbed by a random assailant while having coffee in downtown St. Augustine. Fr. Matt was transported to a hospital in Jacksonville and is in stable condition and awake. The assailant is in custody.

"Our heartfelt gratitude goes out to the skilled work of the paramedics and law enforcement officers who cared for Fr. Matt, and for the doctors and nurses who are currently caring for him," the statement continued. "We are actively monitoring the situation and will provide updates as they become available. Please keep Fr. Matt, his family, and the entire Trinity St. Augustine community in your prayers."

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Trinity Parish sent an email to its members after the incident saying the church had been put on lockdown as a precaution although it didn't happen on the property, First Coast News reported.

"It is with a heavy heart that we share news of a deeply concerning event this morning," its email stated. "Our beloved Fr. Matt was injured in an unfortunate incident and is currently receiving excellent medical care in Jacksonville. We are grateful for the immediate response of our local authorities and medical teams, who are working diligently to ensure his well-being.

"... During this challenging time, we ask you to join us in prayer for Fr. Matt, his wife, Kari, and their loved ones. May God’s healing hand rest upon Fr. Matt, bringing him strength and comfort, and may His peace guide our hearts as we await further updates ," the email continued. "We will continue to keep you informed as we learn more. Until then, we lean on our faith and the power of prayer to bring us through this difficult moment together."

This article originally appeared on Florida Times-Union: 'Random' stabbing wounds priest having coffee in downtown St. Augustine