TAMPA, Fla. (WFLA) — The 29-year-old man accused of brutally stabbing a transgender teen and nearly throwing her over a railing at a Florida airport on Sunday was denied bond, according to reports.
The suspected stabber, Alexander Love, 29, was charged with attempted first-degree murder and attempted premeditated murder, NBC affiliate WTVJ reported .
The incident occurred at the Miami International Airport around 11:33 p.m. on the fourth floor of Terminal J in the pre-security area when Love allegedly stabbed the 17-year-old “without provocation.”
Astronauts remain in space as Boeing’s Starliner mission exceeds 45-day window at ISS According to WTVJ, the teen was on the floor eating when Love attacked her with a long butcher knife. She was stabbed about 18 times in the arms, shoulders, neck, face, head and legs.
Following the stabbing, Love allegedly tried to push the teen over the fourth-floor safety retaining glass. Luckily, she was able to escape and ran to the third floor where police officers found her.
The 17-year-old was rushed to the hospital where she underwent emergency surgery. Her current condition is unclear, WTVJ reported.
Love was arrested shortly after the attack.
During an interview with the Miami-Dade Police Department, Love claimed that he became briefly acquainted with the victim before the attack. He also told authorities that he was possibly drugged and claimed someone inserted an unknown object in his rectum, according to WTVJ.
Avelo Airlines announces 7 all-new nonstop routes from Lakeland Love reportedly told officials that he didn’t know if the teen was the one to blame, but made a statement indicating that he needed to hurt whoever did it. He also claimed the incident prompted him to purchase the butcher knife at a Target store nearby.
The arrest report refers to the victim as a “he” but the police department said the victim’s mother said the teen is transgender and identifies as a female.
According to WTVJ, preliminary information does not indicate that the incident was a hate crime; however, police said it has not been ruled out. During Love’s court appearance on Monday, the judge denied his bond and ordered him to have no contact with the victim.
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