Man Tries To Behead Man In Convenience Store After Stabbing Him 40 Times With Scissors

A man has been accused of trying to behead his acquaintance after stabbing the victim 40 times with a pair of scissors inside a convenience store in Punta Gorda, Florida on Monday, Sept. 19.

The accused, identified as 36-year-old Edmund Clarke, reportedly entered a convenience store in Punta Gorda, Florida on Monday with the son of an elderly man whom he serves as a caretaker for. At the store, without any provocation, Clarke allegedly suddenly grabbed a pair of scissors he spotted and lunged at his acquaintance, New York Post reported.

The attack was reportedly caught on the store's surveillance video cameras. The footage allegedly shows Clarke hacking away at the man in an attempt to behead him, grabbing several other knives he found inside the store to continue the attack.

Clarke reportedly stabbed the victim more than 40 times in the head, neck, and torso. Clarke’s alleged assault lasted several minutes before cops arrived at the scene and the victim was flown to a local hospital where he underwent emergency surgery for severe wounds to his head, neck, and torso, WFTV Channel 9 reported.

On the day of the incident, hours prior to the attack, the victim picked Clarke up from a hospital, where the suspect had been treated for abdominal pain. Clarke had served as a caretaker for the victim’s father for over 10 years. Clarke then allegedly told the victim he was hungry, prompting them to stop at The Trading Post at Burnt Store Marina.

According to a witness who saw the attack, Clarke reportedly began experiencing hallucinations and ranted about being targeted by an unknown enemy before launching the assault on the victim.

Following the incident, Clarke was arrested at the scene and was charged with attempted murder.

“This disgusting crime will not be tolerated in Lee County,” said Sheriff Carmine Marceno. “I am proud of the quick response of our deputies that helped save the victim’s life, and the hard work of my detectives to take Clarke off the street.”