A 30-year-old homeless man was arrested by DeLand police on an attempted murder charge after he allegedly stabbed another homeless man in an unprovoked attack near a shopping plaza on Tuesday evening.
According to the DeLand Police Department, officers responded to the 1400 block of North Woodland Boulevard at around 5:15 p.m. on Tuesday, February 11, in reference to a physical altercation.
DPD stated that a male victim sustained stab wounds on his neck and chest. He was flown by helicopter to a local hospital for treatment of non-life-threatening injuries.
“Based on the preliminary investigation, the fight appears to have been between two transients,” said DPD in a social media post on Tuesday.
Investigators soon identified the suspected stabber as Joseph Varela.
On Wednesday, February 12, Varela was located, arrested, and transported to Volusia County Jail, where he is currently being held without bond. He is being charged with attempted murder and illegal possession of a shopping cart.