Publix Worker Stabbed In Neck By Suspected Shoplifter In Sarasota

SARASOTA, FL – A 57-year-old Publix employee was stabbed in the neck when she attempted to stop a shoplifter this morning at the supermarket on Bee Ridge Road, according to police.

Sarasota County Sheriff's deputies were first called at 10:13 a.m. to the store on the 3600 block of Bee Ridge for a suspected shoplifting -- a call upgraded to the stabbing incident.

According to witnesses, the victim was attempting to stop the male suspect when he reportedly stabbed her in the back of the neck and then began stabbing himself several times before fleeing southbound on Maceachen Boulevard toward the Beneva Ridge Apartments, deputies said.

Deputies quickly apprehended the man, and a K-9 unit located the knife used during the incident at a nearby tennis court, police said.

Both the suspect and victim were transported to Sarasota Memorial Hospital and are in stable condition.

The grocery store is still open and there is no threat to the public, deputies said.

• Also see: See How Burglary Suspect Used Doggie Door To Get Into Area Home: VIDEO

--Images via SCSO