Tucson, Arizona – A tragic sequence of events culminated in the charging of 25-year-old Daniel Michael with first-degree murder, after the victim of a brutal hatchet attack at a Tucson bus stop succumbed to his wounds. Initially arrested and charged with aggravated assault earlier this month, Michael now faces upgraded charges following the death of 32-year-old Jacob Couch.
On April 5, Jacob Couch was attacked unprovoked while sitting beside his wife at a bus stop. The assault, which nearly decapitated Couch, led to him being placed on life support. Despite the medical efforts, Couch died from his injuries on Friday, prompting the shift in legal charges against Michael.
Described by his younger brother, Luke Couch, as a man with “the biggest heart,” Jacob’s sudden and violent attack has left a community and family in mourning. According to Luke, Jacob was a compassionate individual who placed great value on his family ties.
The incident occurred under alarming circumstances. Jacob, alongside his wife Kristen, was returning to their hometown Arab, Alabama from California, where they were grieving the loss of their stillborn son. Their journey back, via bus, took a tragic turn during a layover in Tucson when a confrontation at the bus stop escalated unexpectedly.
Luke recounted the situation, explaining that an argument erupted when a stranger aggressively told Jacob to move. Although Jacob initially dismissed the demand, the situation escalated as Kristen sensed the aggressor’s agitation and hurried to gather their belongings to leave. It was then that Michael attacked Jacob with a hatchet from behind.
Michael fled the scene following the attack and was apprehended three days later at his residence in Tucson. During the initial bond hearing, Michael’s defense suggested that self-defense might be argued, a claim strongly refuted by Luke, who pointed out the nature of the attack indicated otherwise.
The community and the Couch family are now clamoring for justice. Reflecting on the devastating impact of the incident, Luke expressed a fervent desire to see stringent actions taken against Michael to prevent similar tragedies. He shared the heartache of seeing his brother incapacitated in the hospital, emphasizing the deep familial bonds and the agony of not being able to protect him.
Jacob Couch, remembered fondly by friends and family, is survived by his teenage daughter. The loss has reignited discussions around safety in public spaces and the unpredictable nature of violent crimes, as a family grapples with the reality of a loved one lost too soon under horrific circumstances.
The case continues to develop as legal proceedings against Michael progress, with the Tucson Police Department actively involved in the investigation. This tragic event painfully underscores the broader societal challenges of ensuring public safety and addressing mental health issues that could potentially lead to such unprovoked attacks.