Florida Man Accused of Slashing Publix Shopper, 70

A Punta Gorda, Florida, man is accused of slashing a 70-year-old Publix shopper across the face with a box cutter, and police say he told them he picked the victim because the man looked like he was from the 1960s.

Punta Gorda police were called to the Publix at 2310 Tamiami Trail on Oct. 10 for a reported stabbing. Police say the victim was shopping in an aisle when he felt what seemed like a punch to the left side of his face. When he turned around, he saw 47-year-old Ramsey Thomas Lyons staring at him with a box cutter blade in his hand. Realizing he was bleeding, the victim backed away toward the customer service desk.

Officers found Lyons standing near the store entrance with his hands on his head. After being read his Miranda rights, Lyons agreed to talk and told an officer he has an undiagnosed mental illness and dislikes the 1960s era, police say. He allegedly said he went into the store intending to kill someone, and that the victim looked like he was from the 1960s and he felt like "acing him out," which he clarified meant murder.

"I just pulled it out of my pocket and stuck it in his neck," Lyons told police, according to WINK News. He allegedly said he threw the box cutter down the aisle and walked out with his hands behind his back because he didn't want officers to use a Taser or shoot him. Police say he denied knowing the victim, said he chose him at random, and admitted he had been thinking about an attack for two days before working up the nerve.

Surveillance video shows Lyons walking the aisles before entering one that cameras don't fully cover. Moments later, the victim runs out of that aisle toward customer service, and Lyons exits right behind him with his hands on his head. Officers recovered the box cutter from the aisle.

The victim was treated at Fawcett Hospital in Port Charlotte for a cut that runs roughly 4 to 6 inches from his left cheek near his mouth, down his jawline and onto his neck, along with a smaller cut to his upper chest. He received numerous stitches, is in stable condition, and told detectives he wants to pursue charges.

Lyons is charged with one count of aggravated battery on a person 65 years of age or older. He is being held without bond at the Charlotte County Jail and is scheduled to appear in court Nov. 16.