Police Respond to Friday Morning Stabbing

Another Gainesville man is behind bars on charges of attempted murder following a stabbing on Southwest Archer Road which left a man fighting for his life Friday morning.

On Aug. 14 around 8:25 a.m., police were called to 3581 SW Archer Road on reports of a stabbing. The victim had sustained multiple stabbings to the head, chest, and arms and was transported to a local hospital. It was stated that his wounds were life-threatening with one even piercing through his skull.

The stabbing took place close to a shopping complex where the victim was allegedly sleeping outside.

Witness Helps Police Identify Suspect

As per the investigation, there was a witness who works at an adjacent place and he told the officer that the victim was lying down on the floor and a thin Black man came up to him and started beating him up.

The victim apparently cried out during the attack. He saw that the man had a knife in his hand after the attack. After assaulting the victim, the suspect reportedly wiped the knife against the blanket of the victim and left for the area where Kohl’s store is located.

The suspect was reported to be wearing a white shirt and light colored shorts.

The officers created a perimeter in the area and found a man sitting outside a tent near the wooded area at Goodwill at 3520 SW 34th Street. The suspect was identified by the police as Peter Ashley Thompson aged 35.

Knife Found Near Tent

The witness confirmed beyond doubt that Thompson was the one responsible for the stabbing, as revealed by the authorities.

Police found a pair of khaki shorts in Thompson’s tent. There was also a big knife or machete under the clothes.

There was also evidence that the dog belonging to the police had followed a trail leading from the scene of the stabbing to Thompson’s tent.

Suspect Gives Account to Police

Once he had been read his rights, Thompson admitted to having stabbed the victim on the face. It was reported that Thompson claimed to have thought that the victim was related to people who had been disturbing his items and tent area.

As per the report, Thompson said that he had gone to Walmart and came back to discover that the tent area had been disturbed. He thought the victim was responsible and went to the spot where he saw him. As per Thompson, he had stabbed the victim with the intention of making sure that he would end up at the hospital.

Police said that Thompson had hidden the knife behind the bushes of his tent and then changed clothes.

Previous Criminal Record

Thompson has had eight felonies in his past which are classified as nonviolent, as well as 21 misdemeanor offenses with one being violent in nature. He spent three months in the Alachua County Jail earlier this year after pleading no contest to charges of battery and trespassing.

Thompson is currently charged with attempted murder. The amount of his bail or lack thereof will be determined on August 15.

These are based on police reports and court documents. A criminal charge is just an accusation, and Thompson is considered innocent until proven guilty.