Freddie Lopez, 32, 773 SW CR 320, Mayo, remains in Shands at Gainesville recovering from surgery to repair deep stab wounds to his lower stomach, side, and buttocks area inflicted upon him July 4. The Lafayette County Sheriff’s Office (LCSO) said this is the third stabbing incident deputies have responded to this year.



According to Deputy Geoff Condy the stab wounds were the result of an argument that turned ugly when Rutilio Lira Gonzalez, 31, also living at 773 SW CR 320, used a pocket knife to plunge at least five stabs into Lopez.



Condy was dispatched to the Lafayette County Jail when three men brought Lopez to the jail requesting an ambulance. Condy said Lopez was lying in the seat, bleeding and unresponsive. Lopez was transported to Shands by ShandsCare.



Condy questioned the three Hispanic males through LCSO translator Mary Bunner. According to Bunner’s translation the men did not actually see the stabbing occur but did hear the two men (Lopez and Gonzalez) arguing in the front yard before Gonzalez threw the alleged weapon on the ground then ran down the road.



Condy went to the scene where he recovered the knife and placed Gonzalez, who had returned to the scene of the alleged stabbing, under arrest.



Gonzalez is charged with aggravated battery with a deadly weapon and remains at Lafayette County Jail under $20,000 bond.