The normally quiet Winston Park and Nature Trail became the backdrop for a violent crime on Saturday, leaving one man critically injured from a stabbing, Coconut Creek Police said.
The stabbing happened around 4:15 p.m., prompting a large-scale search involving multiple law enforcement agencies.
Residents of the normally tranquil neighborhoods nearby expressed shock as police in tactical gear and armed with long guns, accompanied by numerous K9 units, scoured the trail for the suspect.
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“There’s a lot of kids that play outside here,” said Daniella Locascio, a neighbor. “It’s unexpected because this neighborhood never has problems.”
According to police, after the stabbing, the suspect fled into a nearby preserve, prompting an intensive search that included the Coconut Creek Police, Broward Sheriff’s Office, and additional units from Margate, Coral Springs, and Palm Beach Sheriff’s Office.
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“So there was a stabbing, and then the suspect ran into the preserve, which is right back here and connects the neighborhood,” Michael Constanzo, another neighbor, recounted.
As darkness fell, the physical search was called off, with the suspect still at large.
"The search of the wooded area is over. So the suspect was not found in there. That doesn’t mean the investigation’s over. The investigation will actively continue throughout the night as we continue to look for leads on the suspect and what happened,” said Scott Leamon, a spokesperson for Coconut Creek PD.
The victim was airlifted to Broward Health Medical Center in Fort Lauderdale, where he was listed in critical condition. Investigators do not believe the stabbing was a random act.
Neighbors remain anxious as the search for the suspect continues.
"That’s not good. That will be a very bad thing. I hope they find them very quickly,” Constanzo added. Anyone with information in this case is encouraged to come forward.
