Homeless man accused of stabbing hiker near Crestview

CRESTVIEW, Fla. — A homeless man is facing a charge of aggravated battery with a deadly weapon following the alleged stabbing of a hiker in a wooded area near Crestview, the Okaloosa County Sheriff’s Office has announced.

The alleged stabbing left the hiker, from Ohio, with life-threatening injuries Tuesday evening, the Okaloosa County Sheriff’s Office (OCSO) said.

According to the OCSO, the victim and his wife befriended a homeless man when they arrived in Crestview and set up a camp on the Florida Natural Scenic Trail about a mile east of Highway 85 and south of the double bridges.

For unknown reasons, Jonathan Davis, 37, of Havana, reportedly stabbed the 45-year-old victim in the abdomen, then left, the OCSO said.

The victim’s wife went to a location where she could use a cell phone to call 9-1-1 and described the suspect.

An officer with the Crestview Police Department reportedly spotted Davis walking on State Road 85 and took him into custody on outstanding warrants for burglary and other charges out of Leon County.

The OCSO has charged Davis with aggravated battery with a deadly weapon. A search turned up a bloody knife and blood on Davis’s clothing, the OCSO said.

The victim was in critical condition at an area hospital but is expected to survive.

Eglin Air Force Base’s Emergency Communications Center and Range Patrol handled the initial calls and response and facilitated the launch of an aircraft to help in the search. Okaloosa Correctional Institution K9s responded to assist as well, the OCSO said.

In addition to the Crestview Police Department, Okaloosa EMS also participated in the effort.