Urgent: Daytona Man Attacks Two with Sledgehammer, Charged

UPDATE: A shocking series of violent attacks in Daytona Beach has left the community in fear as authorities investigate a man accused of slashing a juvenile’s neck just hours after a sledgehammer assault on another victim. Jermaine Lynn Long, 44, is now facing multiple charges following these brutal incidents that occurred on February 14, 2023.

Just before 10:08 p.m. on February 14, Long allegedly attacked a juvenile victim, using a knife to inflict severe injuries. This incident unfolded near 18 S. Ocean Ave., where video footage captured Long circling the young victim before launching the unprovoked attack. Witnesses reported the juvenile was left with a deep neck wound but miraculously survived the ordeal.

However, the violence didn’t stop there. Just 10½ hours earlier, Long had assaulted a man with a sledgehammer at a local 7-Eleven located at 35 S. Atlantic Ave.. The victim described a terrifying encounter where Long struck him and chased him into the store. Eyewitness accounts confirm the man was visibly shaken and feared for his life during the incident.

Though police found probable cause to charge Long in the sledgehammer attack, he was not arrested at that time. It wasn’t until after the slashing incident that he was jailed. Daytona Beach Police have yet to comment on why Long was not detained sooner.

Authorities are now taking action. Assistant State Attorney Robin Hutcheson has filed a motion asking the court to keep Long incarcerated due to the imminent danger he poses to the community. A hearing regarding this motion is scheduled for 10 a.m. on February 19 at the S. James Foxman Justice Center.

Long’s criminal background raises further concerns. He has a history of violence, including previous charges for aggravated assault with a deadly weapon just weeks before the recent attacks. Notably, he was released from custody just four days prior to the slashing due to prosecutors declining to file charges in an earlier case involving two men.

The community is left grappling with fear as they await the results of the hearing. The alarming pattern of violence raises serious questions about public safety and the judicial system’s ability to protect citizens from repeat offenders.

As this story develops, residents are urged to remain vigilant and report any suspicious activity to local authorities. Stay tuned for more updates on this urgent situation as we follow the latest developments in Daytona Beach.