Man Attacked With Hatchet During Cell Phone Dispute: Manatee Sheriff

BRADENTON, FL — A Bradenton man was attacked with a hatchet during a dispute over a cell phone at the end of December, according to a Manatee County Sheriff’s Office news release.

The suspect in the case, Jaquan Marquis Sykes, 32, was taken into custody Saturday night and charged with attempted murder.

The attack happened just before 1 a.m. on Dec. 30. Investigators identified Sykes as a suspect shortly after the crime, but he eluded deputies, the sheriff’s office said.

He was pulled over Saturday around 8:20 p.m., after his vehicle was seen traveling on 1st Street W., and arrested, according to MCSO.

During the December attack, Sykes hit his victim with a blunt object, as well as a hatchet, “while making homicidal statements,” the sheriff’s office said.

The victim was admitted to Blake Hospital with serious injuries to his arms, torso and head, and is expected to recover.

Sykes — who is known as “Quan” — told detectives that he was upset about a broken cell phone and claims personal property was stolen from him, the sheriff’s office said.

The investigation is ongoing.