An early morning dispute in Fort Pierce escalated to violence as a man was stabbed following a heated argument over money. The Fort Pierce Police Department (FPPD) responded to the incident on Tuesday at around 4:33 a.m. in the 2500 block of Avenue I, where they discovered the victim with a stab wound to the upper leg, according to CBS12.
The confrontation reportedly began as a verbal exchange between the victim and an unidentified woman in a parking lot. It was at this point that 41-year-old Jermie Jay Gaines exited his nearby vehicle to quickly engage in the argument. The FPPD stated that Gaines is accused of having taken out a knife and using it to stab the victim before fleeing the scene. Gaines was later arrested after officers issued a BOLO alert and used previous knowledge of the suspect to locate him a mere few hours following the altercation.
Upon questioning, Gaines admitted to being at the scene, citing a monetary dispute as his reason. "The victim owed him money," Gaines claimed, as per the FPPD's interview. He maintained his innocence regarding the assault, a claim contradicted by video surveillance that showed otherwise. As a result of the evidence, Gaines was charged with Aggravated Battery with a Deadly Weapon, according to WPBF.
Gaines is currently being held in the St. Lucie County Jail, with his alleged connection to the stabbing solidified by footage that appears to actively dispute his denial. The victim's condition and the nature of the alleged unpaid debt remain unspecified. The FPPD has not released further details regarding the case or the unidentified woman involved in the initial argument.
