By Erika Hernandez
23 Jul 2024, 19:35 PM EDT
Following news of a stabbing that occurred inside a terminal at Miami International Airport, Florida, on Saturday night, Authorities revealed that the victim was a 17-year-old transgender teenager who was sent to the hospital in critical condition.
Police told ABC News on Monday that They are investigating the incident as a possible hate crime.However, they have not been able to speak to the victim due to his condition in order to obtain more details of the attack.
A man, identified as Alexander Paul Love, 29, was arrested immediately after the incident. Authorities charged him with attempted first-degree murder with a deadly weapon and attempted premeditated murder by stabbing. He appeared in Miami-Dade Bail Court on Monday and is not eligible for bail.
How did the attack happen?
Preliminary investigation revealed that Love and the victim were on the fourth floor of the terminal, in the pre-security area, according to officials.
The teenager was allegedly eating while sitting on the floor when Love stabbed her unprovoked 18 times in the arms, shoulders, neck, face, head and legs with a butcher knife.
The arrest affidavit states that when the victim attempted to break free from the attack, Love allegedly grabbed her and tried to pull and push her over the railing of the fourth floor, where the victim would have landed on the first floor of the airport.
Fortunately, during the attack the victim escaped and ran downstairs, where he received medical assistance.
Love said, according to the affidavit, that he was “possibly drugged and that someone inserted an unknown object into his rectum.”
“The defendant is not certain that the victim was responsible for this,” the affidavit continued, noting that there was no evidence of alcohol or drug use.
Police officers detained the suspect in the area where the stabbing occurred and recovered the knife. Miami-Dade Fire Rescue responded and transported the victim to JMH Ryder Trauma Center in critical condition.
“The situation was quickly contained,” airport officials said.
“We want to assure the public that the situation is under control and that the safety of our passengers, staff and visitors remains our top priority,” the Miami-Dade Aviation Department said.
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