Suspected Florida Publix slasher walked free from court months earlier despite victim warnings

A Florida man allegedly slashed a 70-year-old Publix shopper with a box cutter just over three months after a mental health court ended his probation early in a case involving an unprovoked attack on a teenager.

According to the Punta Gorda Police Department , Ramsey Thomas Lyons, 47, faces a felony charge of aggravated battery on a person 65 years or older following an attack at the Publix Super Market on Tamiami Trail in Punta Gorda on Oct.

10.

A sworn probable cause arrest affidavit indicated that Lyons approached a man from behind, shortly before 4 p.m. while Terry shopped inside the store.

After feeling someone violently strike him, the victim turned to face Lyons, who allegedly stared at him while holding a box cutter blade.

The victim ran to the front of the store after touching his head and noticing his hands were bloody, the affidavit stated.

FLORIDA MEN WIELDING HATCHET AND MACHETE CLASH IN PUBLIX PARKING LOT, POLICE SAY Punta Gorda police officers arrived and apprehended Lyons at the front of the store, where he stood with his hands on his head.

They also recovered a box cutter from the aisle where the incident occurred.

OHIO MAN CONVICTED AFTER TRYING TO SHOOT EX-WIFE AT POINT-BLANK RANGE INSIDE RESTAURANT IN CHILLING VIDEO First responders took the victim to Fawcett Memorial Hospital with a severe cut measuring four to six inches from his left cheek down to his neck, alongside a minor laceration to his upper chest, police said.

Lyons, who waived his Miranda rights, told authorities that he had a deep "dislike for the 1960's era," and admitted he planned to kill someone in the store that day.

He targeted the victim solely because the shopper "looked like he was from the 1960's" and felt like "acing him out," police said.

WHEN IS A MENTAL HEALTH CRISIS TOO SEVERE FOR TELEHEALTH? WARNING SIGNS FAMILIES SHOULDN'T IGNORE "I just pulled it out of my pocket and stuck it in his neck," Lyons said, according to the affidavit.

Lyons, who told police he had mental health issues, allegedly admitted he spent two days planning the attack, and that he purposely dropped the weapon down the aisle so that responding officers would not use a Taser or shoot him.

MARYLAND MAN ACCUSED OF GIRL'S FATAL SHOOTING RELEASED FROM PRISON DAYS BEFORE The attack renewed criticism from the mother of a teenager Lyons previously assaulted.