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The Okaloosa County Sheriff’s Office is investigating a stabbing that left an area hiker with life-threatening injuries Tuesday evening.
The victim and his wife had befriended a homeless man when they arrived in Crestview and set up a camp on the Florida Natural Scenic Trail about a mile east of Highway 85 and south of the double bridges.
For unknown reasons, 37-year old Jonathan Davis of Havana stabbed the victim in the abdomen, then left.
The victim’s wife went to a location where she could use a cell phone to call 9-1-1 and describe the suspect.
An officer with the Crestview Police Department spotted Davis walking on State Road 85 and took him into custody on outstanding warrants for burglary and other charges out of Leon County.
The Okaloosa County Sheriff’s Office has charged Davis with aggravated battery with a deadly weapon. A search turned up a bloody knife and blood on Davis’s clothing.
Also, our sincere thanks to all the folks at Team Eglin’s Emergency Communications Center and Eglin Range Patrol who handled the initial calls and response and facilitated launch of an aircraft to help in the search. Okaloosa Correctional Institution K9s responded to assist as well. The joint effort also included the Crestview Police Department and Okaloosa EMS!
At last word the victim was in critical condition at an area hospital, but expected to survive.
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