Okaloosa man arrested following July 4 stabbing

OKALOOSA COUNTY, Fla. — A man has been arrested for allegedly stabbing someone during a dispute. 

The Okaloosa County Sheriff’s Office (OCSO) said a Holt man is in custody on charges he stabbed another individual in a dispute over a woman on July 4. 

Robert Dean Parker, 51, is charged with aggravated battery with a deadly weapon. 

The OCSO Communications Unit said it received a 9-1-1 call around 11 p.m. saying a man had been stabbed in the neck. According to the OCSO, other wounds were found on the victim once first responders arrived. 

The victim was taken to North Okaloosa Medical Center. 

A witness to the altercation on Lyons Place in Holt told OCSO deputies she saw Parker running down a driveway towards the victim with what appeared to be a knife and then saw the victim fall to his knees after the encounter. 

She says Parker also removed his shirt and began strangling the victim, stating, “I am going to kill you,” the OCSO said. 

Deputies say the victim, who is expected to survive, had lacerations to his throat and abdomen.