JACKSONVILLE, Fla. – A man has been arrested and charged with second-degree murder in connection with a fatal stabbing that occurred outside the pre-trial detention facility of the Jacksonville Sheriff’s Office.
Brady Robinson, 49, was apprehended thanks to the swift actions of a security guard on Saturday night. The guard, stationed at the front desk inside the JSO headquarters, witnessed the altercation and immediately intervened by confronting the suspect with a Taser, as stated in the arrest report.
Prayers are now being shared on Facebook for the victim, Arthur Bell.
According to eyewitnesses mentioned in the arrest report, both men engaged in an argument that escalated into a physical fight. During the altercation, Bell managed to escape while Robinson’s actions, which have been redacted in the report, took place.
Bell sought refuge at the entrance of the Police Memorial Building, where the guard on duty observed the fight, emerged from the building, and ordered Robinson to surrender while brandishing his Taser.
The officer promptly requested assistance from JFRD (Jacksonville Fire and Rescue Department) for the injured individual, who was later transported to UF Health with life-threatening injuries.
The police stated that both men were homeless, and despite this fact, Councilmember Jimmy Peluso, representing the downtown district, emphasizes that they are all members of the community.
“This is a tragedy. Nobody should experience such violence, especially those who are unhoused,” Peluso expressed to News4JAX. “As a city, we need to acknowledge that we have a responsibility to be Good Samaritans.
We can’t simply pass by and accept it as their fate. Now, more than ever, we have an opportunity to extend a helping hand and strive to create a better city.”
Peluso acknowledged the lack of dedicated funding for the unhoused population in the city. Nevertheless, he intends to advocate for programs that establish a homeless trust to address the shortage of affordable housing.
Dawn Gilman, CEO of Changing Homelessness, highlighted the challenges of finding affordable housing promptly. She stated, “The most valuable thing we can offer someone experiencing homelessness is a secure door they can lock.”
When the next budget cycle arrives, city officials plan to propose increased funding for additional shelters for the unhoused population.
They point to the success of similar initiatives in Miami-Dade County, where they claim to have effectively eradicated homelessness among veterans.
