Homeless High School Student Accused Of Stabbing Man

LACOOCHEE, FL — A 19-year-old Pasco high school student has been arrested after sheriff's deputies said he stabbed a man with a knife.

According to the Pasco County Sheriff's Office, on Oct. 24, Levin Jayce Downing, who is from Dade City but is homeless, was walking down a sidewalk near 39239 State Road 575 in Lacoochee with his girlfriend. A 35-year-old man, who knew the couple, came up from behind and began making threats toward the girlfriend. The couple told him to leave them alone but the man continued his verbal assault.

That's when sheriff's deputies said Downing pulled out a folding knife and stabbed the man in the rib cage. Downing told deputies that he only reacted after the man swung a flashlight at him but Downing had no visible injuries.

Downing was charged with aggravated battery with a deadly weapon. Bond was set at $10,000.