A Florida man was arrested after he allegedly slashed a 70-year-old man across the face with a box cutter as she shopped at Publix because he “disliked” people born in the 1960s, authorities claim.
Ramsey Thomas Lyons was arrested on Saturday, October 10, and charged with aggravated battery on a person 65 years or older.
The alleged incident took place when Lyons, 47, came into contact with the 70-year-old man while he was shopping in an aisle at the grocery store. The victim “suddenly felt as if someone had punched him in the left side of his face,” according to a probable cause arrest affidavit viewed by Law & Crime. Police said that he then turned around and saw Lyons staring at him while holding a box cutter.
The victim realized he had been stabbed when he saw blood on his hands and he ran for help, according to the affidavit.
Officers with the Punta Gorda Police Department then arrived at the scene, and they found Lyons standing near the store entrance with his hands on his head. Lyons was taken into custody and officers recovered a box cutter at the scene.
Lyons then spoke to authorities and told them that he had an “undiagnosed mental illness” and had a “dislike for the 1960’s era,” per the affidavit. The defendant added that he allegedly entered the store “with the intent to murder someone” and he saw the victim soon after. Lyons also said that he allegedly attacked the man because he “looked like he was from the 1960’s.”
“I just pulled it out of my pocket and stuck it in his neck,” Lyons allegedly said before adding that he had been thinking of attacking someone in the two days leading up to the attack.
Following the attack, he said that he dropped the box cutter so the police “wouldn’t be scared” and, as a result, shoot or Taser him.
Additionally, Lyons told authorities that he did not know the victim and randomly picked him out.
Police said that the victim suffered a gash to his face, which started on his left cheek near his mouth. The cut continued down on his jawline to his neck. Authorities added that the victims needed “numerous stitches,” but appeared to be in stable condition.
After Lyons was arrested, he was taken to Charlotte County Jail and is currently being held without bond. He is next scheduled to appear in court on November 16.
It is not currently clear if Lyons has entered a plea or retained legal counsel following his arrest. The Punta Gorda Police Department had no additional information to share when contacted by Us about the case.
