On a Midtown Memphis sidewalk Wednesday night, a man was slashed with what police describe as a samurai-style sword, leaving him bleeding and running for help while officers raced to track down a suspect.
According to police, the victim suffered cuts to his left hand and the left side of his head before fleeing the scene to call for assistance. Officers later detained a 37-year-old man and recovered a long-bladed weapon nearby.
What Police Say Happened
The confrontation unfolded on Poplar Avenue near Claybrook Street, where the suspect allegedly pulled a samurai-style sword and slashed the victim, WREG reports. Police say the injured man ran off to find help, and officers began searching the area.
Investigators located a man matching the suspect’s description on Cleveland Street at Washington Avenue and detained him. A long-bladed weapon believed to be the sword used in the assault was recovered close by.
WREG identifies the suspect as 37-year-old Andrew Deaner and reports that he faces an attempted first-degree murder charge in connection with the attack.
Suspect’s Record
Deaner is not a stranger to Memphis police. In a 2025 case, officers said he attacked someone with an axe and a hammer and was charged with attempted second-degree murder and drug possession, according to Action News 5.
Court records cited in that report show a series of prior felony cases involving Deaner, though some of those charges were later dismissed or otherwise resolved.
Unusual Weapon, Wider Pattern
Samurai-style sword attacks are not exactly an everyday occurrence in Memphis, but this is not the only time a long blade has made headlines in Tennessee this summer.
In a June case out of Perry County, a teenager allegedly used a long sword while defending her mother, according to reporting that republished a WSMV story. That incident, like the Midtown slashing, underscores how unusual weapons still find their way into real-world confrontations.
What Comes Next In Court
Deaner has been charged with attempted first-degree murder, as reported by WREG. Initial information did not list a bond amount or a court date.
Prosecutors and Memphis police will continue to shape the case as it moves through Shelby County courts. Investigators are asking anyone with information about the Poplar Avenue assault to contact Memphis police while the investigation continues.
