Daytona Beach, Fla. — Authorities are investigating a string of violent incidents on the Daytona Beach Boardwalk, linking them to one suspect, Jermaine Long. The 34-year-old is facing serious allegations following two separate attacks that took place just hours apart.
The first incident occurred early on a recent weekend when Long allegedly assaulted a man with a sledgehammer outside a 7-Eleven on Atlantic Avenue. According to police reports, Long approached the victim, who was resting outside the store, and asked if there was a problem. After the victim denied having an issue, Long reportedly struck him in the head multiple times with the weapon, forcing him to flee inside the store in distress.
Witnesses recounted seeing the victim run for safety while Long displayed the sledgehammer menacingly, suggesting he was prepared to strike again. While officers arrived on the scene with enough evidence to charge Long, he was not immediately apprehended at that location.
Just hours earlier, police had already interacted with Long when they issued him a trespass warning at a residence on South Hollywood Avenue. It was his first significant run-in with law enforcement since being released from custody four days prior, where he was serving time for past offenses.
In a more alarming turn of events, Long is also accused of a second attack later that same day, in which he allegedly slashed a teenager’s throat on the boardwalk. Details surrounding this second incident have yet to emerge, but the escalating nature of these attacks is raising concerns in the community.
Adding to the complexity, Long is a registered sex offender with a history of violence. Court records reveal that charges related to a previous encounter in January had been dropped, where he allegedly brandished a knife and an eight-foot pole at someone in the same 7-Eleven. The State Attorney’s Office has stated it is currently reviewing both this past incident and the recent cases involving Long.
Local residents are grappling with heightened fears of safety as police ramp up their efforts to address the situation. Authorities urge anyone with information regarding the attacks to come forward as they work to ensure the safety of the boardwalk and its visitors.
Long’s arrest and the violent nature of these recent events have sparked a broader conversation about public safety measures and how to more effectively handle repeat offenders. As investigations continue, the Daytona Beach community is left reeling from these attacks, hoping for swift justice and enhanced protections on the boardwalk.