A New York man is facing attempted murder charges after allegedly luring a Grindr date to his home and launching a brutal knife attack that left the victim blind in one eye.
Prosecutors said Reggie Florence, 28, persuaded the victim to drive from Long Island to his Middletown residence on August 3 under the pretense of giving him a massage. Once inside, Florence allegedly told the man to lie on the floor, before suddenly pulling out a kitchen knife and stabbing him multiple times in the back of the neck.
Despite suffering critical injuries, the victim fought back while Florence allegedly continued stabbing him in the eyes and torso. The struggle was interrupted when a neighbor spotted Florence standing over the bleeding man and called police. Officers arrived to find the two grappling over the knife.
The victim was rushed to hospital with life-threatening injuries, including a punctured lung and the loss of an eye. Florence suffered minor wounds during the struggle.
Authorities later discovered 12 knives hidden throughout the home, along with a mop, bucket, and bleach near the scene of the attack—items prosecutors say indicate premeditation.
“It is a miracle that the haunting allegations in this case did not result in the death of the victim,” Orange County District Attorney David Hoovler said. “While the victim continues to recover from life-altering injuries, we will seek to hold this defendant accountable for his unspeakable crimes.”
Florence has been charged with attempted murder, assault with intent to cause serious injury, and assault with intent to cause disfigurement. He pleaded not guilty and is being held at the Orange County Jail on $500,000 cash bail ahead of his next court appearance on August 28.
