A stabbing inside a Florida airport left a teenager in critical condition over the weekend.
The suspect, 29-year-old Alexander Love, also tried throwing the unidentified victim over a railing, according to Miami Local News 10. Numerous reports initially identified the victim as a woman, but NBC News said Monday that Love is accused of attacking a 17-year-old male.
The victim was reportedly seated on the floor eating when he was approached by Love, who reportedly stabbed his target with a butcher knife roughly 18 times inside terminal J of Miami International Airport around 11:30 p.m. Saturday.
Love reportedly said during a Monday bond hearing that he became briefly acquainted with the victim before the stabbing. The suspect alleged he may have been drugged and sexually assaulted by an unknown party before committing the brutal attack. He claimed to have purchased the weapon at a Target store, NBC News said.
Witnesses heard someone shouting “Run!” as debunked rumors of an active shooter reached police. Detective Angel Rodriguez told Local News 10 they apprehended Love and located a knife. It’s unclear if the weapon pass through any security checkpoints.
The stabbing occurred on the airport’s fourth floor, the Boca Raton News reports. The victim reportedly managed to run to the third floor, where law enforcement authorities were present. He was treated at Jackson Memorial Hospital’s Ryder Trauma Center and is expected to survive.
Love was booked into the Turner Guilford Knight Correctional Center Sunday and faces attempted murder charges. Prison records indicate the attack was premeditated.
Miami International Airport acknowledged an incident occurred in an international greeting lobby with an online post assuring passengers “the situation” was under control.
The stabbing coincided with with a global tech failure that wreaked havoc with travel times throughout the weekend.