Inset: Kersten Francilus. Background: Deputies with the Martin County Sheriff”s Office in Florida investigate after Francilus allegedly stabbed a woman walking her dog to death (Martin County Sheriff’s Office).
A tragic and seemingly unprovoked attack in Florida has left a community reeling after a 25-year-old man allegedly fatally stabbed a woman in her mid-70s while she was out walking her dog. Authorities have described the incident as an apparently random act of violence.
The accused, Kersten Francilus, is facing a charge of first-degree murder following the brutal Thursday afternoon assault, as reported by the Martin County Sheriff’s Office.
In a Friday court appearance, a prosecutor detailed the chilling nature of the attack, stating that Francilus stabbed the victim more than 16 times and continued his assault even as a responding deputy arrived. According to reports from local NBC affiliate WPTV, Francilus allegedly admitted to the killing, providing law enforcement with a description of the victim based solely on her being Jewish.
Before this tragic event unfolded, Martin County Sheriff John Budensiek revealed that neighbors had called 911 after Francilus was seen knocking on doors, inquiring about a “new bank” that did not exist in the area.
While deputies were en route, reports escalated to the suspect being on top of the woman, actively stabbing her. Upon arrival, a deputy confronted Francilus, who was still attacking the victim. The deputy drew his weapon and commanded Francilus to cease, leading to his surrender without further incident, authorities stated.
As deputies were en route, they received more calls about the suspect on top of the woman, “actively stabbing her.” Francilus was allegedly still stabbing the woman when a deputy arrived. The deputy pulled out his gun and ordered the suspect to stop and he surrendered, per cops.
Paramedics rushed the woman to the hospital where doctors pronounced her dead. Budensiek said the suspect lives with his mom and wife in another neighborhood nearby. The sheriff said there’s no known connection between the victim, who has not been identified, and suspect.
“At this point, this appears like an extremely violent, random act of violence, really an odd set of circumstances for this nice neighborhood,” said Budensiek. “… We just simply know that we’ve had a horrendous crime that’s taken place in this neighborhood.”
Investigators went to Francilus’ home and his family members identified the weapon he used as a steak knife from their kitchen, cops said. Deputies had responded to the home before about Francilus acting strangely but had no other calls for service, according to Budensiek.
Neighbors whom Francilus asked about the bank described him as “relatively calm” and there was no indication that he was armed, the sheriff said. They called cops because they thought it was odd he was asking about a bank in a residential neighborhood.
“When they engaged in the conversation and told him there was no bank here, he kind of just turned off and meandered back down the driveway, not being confrontational. He never really was confrontational with anybody he interacted with.”
Francilus is in the Martin County Jail without bond.
