Kersten Francilus, who lives in the nearby community of Wellington, is accused of attacking a woman in her 70s as she walked her dog Friday in the Southwood neighborhood in Stuart, Sheriff John Budensiek said.
Neighbors had called the police because he was going door to door asking where the new bank was. There was no new bank.
The elderly woman was just walking her dog in a retirement community when Francilius attacked her. She was able to deflect some of the knife attacks.
A Good Samaritan tried to intervene in the attack but was unsuccessful in stopping it.
The suspect was on top of her, actively stabbing her. The civilian who tried to intervene could not get the male off of her,” Budensiek said. When a deputy arrived and pointed a gun at Francilus, the Sheriff says Francilus surrendered.
When confronted by the deputy, Francilus immediately dropped the knife and surrendered.
The victim suffered stab wounds to the upper torso and was transported to the Cleveland Clinic Martin South, where she died, authorities said.
“This was a violent, vile homicide,” Budensiek said.
Police said there is no known connection between Francilus and the victim, and no clear motive has been identified.
“At this point, this appears like an extremely violent, random act of violence,” Budensiek said.
Francilus stabbed her 16 times with a steak knife. He could only describe her to the police as Jewish.