A 40-year-old man has been charged with attempted murder, aggravated battery, and robbery after allegedly beating his parents in Homestead on Friday night.
According to a family friend who asked to remain anonymous, Travis Grafe is accused of attacking his parents, Rachel Knaus Grafe, and Herbert Grafe, the owners of Knaus Berry Farm, a popular family-owned business known for its strawberries and baked goods.
Watch NBC6 free wherever you are
>
WATCH HERE"I've just heard that Travis wanted money, and his mom wouldn't give it to him, and he beat her pretty bad - close to death - with a flashlight," said the family friend.
Get local news you need to know to start your day with NBC 6's News Headlines newsletter.
>
SIGN UP
Knaus Berry Farm was closed on Saturday. A sign in front of the business said the closure was the result of a family emergency.
"They've been community staples in the Redlands forever, and I've grown up next to them. They're great people," said the family friend. "Everybody around has been going there basically since they were born. And it's sticky buns usually."
Investigators say Grafe's mother was airlifted to Jackson Memorial South in critical condition.
Local
"I'm pretty shocked, extremely shocked and upset," said the family friend. "She's an extremely sweet and wonderful person."
Miami-Dade police say units responded to the house on Southwest 248th Street around 8:20 p.m. on Friday and found the victims beaten and suffering injuries from a blunt object.
Travis allegedly fled the scene but was later picked up by police near the home. Investigators say he was hospitalized while in police custody.
The family friend told NBC 6 as a teenager, Grafe suffered a traumatic brain injury.
"I truly believe if that never happened, this wouldn't have happened as well," the family friend said.
Records revealed past arrests for the suspect, including a 2013 arrest on burglary, assault, and battery charges that were later dismissed.
The community is in shock over the incident, and the victims' friends and family are praying for a speedy recovery.
