KEY WEST, Fla. — Key West police investigated a double stabbing Wednesday afternoon and confirmed they arrested the suspect after finding him hiding in the backyard of a home.
Authorities said it happened at 800 Simonton St.
They later identified the suspect as 31-year-old Kentrell Freeman, initially describing him as “armed and dangerous” and urging anyone who spotted him to call 911.
But police confirmed they located him overnight at Poinciana Housing, hiding in the backyard of a home.
Gary Burchfield, owner of Gary the Carpenter, said the stabbing took place at his business.
He said Freeman was an ex-employee of his and the ex-boyfriend of his office manager.
Burchfield said Freeman came into the office several weeks ago with a baseball bat and was arrested, but had since been released.
He returned on Wednesday.
“Luckily, my other office employee, Joe Clements, got to her in time because he would’ve stabbed her more. And he ended up getting stabbed twice in the back, trying to push him out the door,” Burchfield said. “His wounds were superficial and he got stitches and is now home recuperating. She is up in Jackson Memorial South (near) Homestead.
Burchfield said of Clements, “As far as I’m concerned, he’s a hero.”
Surrounding streets were closed as KWPD officers investigated.
Keys jail records show that Freeman has been arrested several times by both KWPD and the Monroe County Sheriff’s Office, dating back to 2012, on charges, including two arrests on aggravated assault with a deadly weapon charges.
He now faces one count of attempted murder and one count of aggravated battery with a deadly weapon.
As of Thursday morning, he was being held on a $2.5 million bail.
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