Staff report
Updated at 4:30 p.m. with criminal history
HAWTHORNE, Fla. – Jean Claude Van Damme, 50, was arrested yesterday after allegedly stabbing another driver in a road rage incident in Hawthorne.
At around 2:47 p.m. on September 24, an altercation broke out between Van Damme and another man due to road rage near the junction of U.S. Hwy 301 and State Road 20 in Hawthorne. Both drivers pulled over, leading to a heated exchange. The victim, attempting to disengage, walked away but was spat on by Van Damme, reportedly prompting him to punch Van Damme in retaliation. In response, Van Damme allegedly produced a knife and began attacking the victim as he attempted to flee.
During the struggle, Van Damme stumbled, and both individuals found themselves on the ground, with Van Damme supposedly continuing the assault. Onlookers intervened and reportedly separated Van Damme from the victim.
An Alachua County Sheriff’s Deputy, who attended the scene, mentioned that the event was documented by a nearby business’s security cameras. The footage allegedly captures the victim hitting Van Damme, who subsequently staggers back, halts briefly, then advances towards the retreating victim while making slashing gestures. The video shows Van Damme falling, with the victim appearing to reach for the knife, followed by both ending up on the ground. Witnesses reportedly extract Van Damme from the scuffle, with the deputy noting that the intervention likely prevented a fatal outcome.
The victim was transported to a hospital to be treated for multiple stab wounds and lacerations.
Post Miranda, Van Damme reportedly requested an attorney.
Van Damme, identified with a Leesburg address, faces charges of attempted homicide. He has no prior criminal record. Judge Meshon Rawls has ordered him to be held without bail pending a decision on a request from the State Attorney’s office to keep him in custody until the trial. If the request is denied, bail will be determined at the hearing.
The reports on arrests are derived from information provided by law enforcement agencies. The accusations are based on the arrest report and/or court documents and remain allegations at this stage. All individuals are considered innocent until proven guilty in a court of law.
