Fatal stabbing in Fort Lauderdale started with two men fighting on county bus

FORT LAUDERDALE, Fla. ā€“ Authorities in Broward County arrested a man they say stabbed another man to death.

According to Fort Lauderdale police, it all started Wednesday morning as an altercation between two men that were traveling aboard a Broward County bus.

The fight continued after both men got off the bus, and according to police, one of the men took out a knife, causing the other man to run away.

Mugshot for 34-year-old Jonathan Church (Broward Sheriff's Office)

According to the suspectā€™s arrest report, dashcam footage from a witness captured part of the incident, including Jonathan Church, 34, following the victim along Northeast Third Avenue as they approached the intersection of Flagler Drive near some train tracks.

Authorities said Church is seen in the video running to catch up to the victim before the victim runs around the railroad crossing arms and tries to grab the ladder on a cargo train.

But authorities said he fell from the train and Church ultimately caught up to him and stabbed him to death. The stabbing was not captured on camera.

According to the arrest report, Church, who had minor injuries but was covered in blood, was questioned at the scene and a witness flagged down an officer who was speaking to Church after the incident and identified him as the person who she saw repeatedly stabbing the victim on the train tracks.

Police said Church claimed that he stabbed the victim after he had been attacked by him on the bus.

Police said Church was found with a small folding knife in his possession.

Church, who is a Hollywood resident, was taken into custody and is facing a murder charge.


About the Authors:

David Dwork joined the WPLG Local 10 News team in August 2019. Born and raised in Miami-Dade County, David has covered South Florida sports since 2007.

Amanda Batchelor is the Digital Executive Producer for Local10.com.