A man told Florida police he slashed a Publix shopper in the face with a box cutter because the 70-year-old “looked like he was from the 1960s,” according to a probable cause affidavit.
Ramsey Thomas Lyons, of Punta Gorda, was arrested over the alleged sudden attack inside the grocery store on October 10. He’s charged with aggravated battery on a person 65 years or older, records viewed by Us show.
Police called to a stabbing at the Publix in Punta Gorda that day encountered the 70-year-old, whose face had been cut, the probable cause affidavit filed in court states.
The man said he was standing in a grocery store aisle when he felt as if someone punched him in the face before saw another man, identified as Lyons, 47, staring at him and holding a box cutter, according to the filing. He noticed his face was bleeding and realized he had slashed.
Lyons allegedly backed away from the man before police found him standing near the entrance of the Publix with his hands on his head, according to authorities.
After police detained Lyons, he told an officer that he no longer had the box cutter used to attack the 70-year-old, per the probable cause affidavit. Lyons was then advised of his Miranda Rights.
Lyons voluntarily said “he had an undiagnosed mental illness and mentioned his dislike for the 1960’s era,” according to the affidavit.
He allegedly admitted to entering the Publix with a box cutter because he wanted to kill someone.
Lyons explained to the officer that when he saw the 70-year-old shopper, the man “looked like he was from the 1960’s and felt like ‘acing him out,’” clarifying he wanted to “murder him,” the affidavit states.
He “denied knowing the victim and confirmed that he had randomly picked him out,” according to the affidavit, also said “he had been thinking about this for the last two days and didn’t have the nerve to do it until today.”
The man Lyons attacked received several stitches at a hospital for a laceration leading from his left cheek, near his mouth, down to his neck, according to police. The laceration was about four to six inches long.
Lyons’ public defender, David Maijala, declined a request for comment from Us on Thursday, October 22.
The incident comes after Lyons had previously been on probation in connection with an alleged attack on a teenager at a Wawa in Port Charlotte in March 2025, per Fox News. Lyons was accused of punching a 16-year-old in the face as the teen held a door open.
He was ordered to participate in a mental health court diversion program as a result, the outlet reported. In July, the mental health court ended his probation early.
The teen’s mother, Shawna Gentry, told Fox News that she had requested the state to pursue possible jail time, alcohol related classes and probation for Lyons instead of a diversion program.
“The way the court handled it, the way the state attorney handled it was very odd to me,” Gentry reportedly said.
Lyons is due in court for an arraignment on November 16 in connection with the Publix attack, records show.
