Steak Knife Used To Stab Homeless Man To Death, Say Pasco Deputies

HUDSON, FL — Pasco County sheriff's deputies have charged a 45-year-old man with premeditated first-degree murder after deputies said he stabbed another man to death with a steak knife at a homeless camp.

According to the sheriff's affidavit, on Wednesday evening, Tyreik Laron Rooks and the victim were at a homeless camp in a wooded area behind the Best of Philly, 13510 U.S. 19, in Hudson. Rooks gave the victim $15 to purchase drugs for him. Another homeless man at the camp gave him another $4 for drugs.

The victim left the camp for several hours and returned with no drugs.

Deputies said the third homeless man reported that Rooks began pacing and yelling while the victim sat in a chair. Finally, Rooks grabbed the handle of a machete with the head broken off and repeatedly struck the victim, who fell to the ground, according to the third man.

Rooks then walked away to ask another homeless man if he could use his cell phone. When he returned, the victim had stumbled to his feet and was walking away disoriented, said the witness.

He told deputies that Rooks grabbed a steak knife and stabbed the victim four or five times in the torso and the victim collapsed near a fire pit, where he began to moan.

The witness said Rooks then stabbed the victim several more times as he lay on the ground.

The witness said he then left the homeless camp but Rooks followed him, threatening him if he revealed what he'd seen, according to the affidavit.

On Sunday, deputies located and spoke to Rooks who originally said he had not seen the victim since Oct. 2. After questioning him further, Rooks admitted to deputies that he killed the victim and buried his body at the homeless camp.