VERO BEACH — The person armed with a knife who held two children in a hotel near Interstate 95 has been identified, according to authorities.
Matthew Franklin, 33, faces charges of battery domestic violence, aggravated assault with a deadly weapon, and resisting arrest without violence, according to the Indian River County Sheriff’s Office.
Last night, authorities responded to Room 329 of the Knights Inn at 8800 20th St., according the Sheriff’s Office. After about 15 minutes, Franklin agreed to let the children out of the room. He then refused to come out. When the children were let out, deputies entered the room and placed Franklin in handcuffs.
Franklin’s wife said that Franklin attacked her because he was angry about a male friend of hers who came over to the room earlier, according to authorities. Franklin confronted her about cheating on him.
His wife stated that she was in the van when Franklin came running out of the room. The doors were locked and Franklin began hitting the window with the butt end of a knife.
At that time, she exited the van through the passenger door, according to the Sheriff’s office. Franklin then charged her with the knife, grabbed her by the neck and told her, “I’m going to slit your f*****g throat.”
When authorities arrived Franklin ran back to the room.
Franklin admitted to breaking the window with the knife, and chasing after his wife in the parking lot with the knife, according to authorities. A six inch Buck Knife was recovered at the scene and Franklin said it was the knife he broke the window with.
VERO BEACH — Authorities removed two children from a man who was wielding knives and barricaded himself inside a hotel room in Vero Beach, according to police scanner traffic.
The incident occurred Thursday evening at the Knight Inn motel on State Road 60 near Interstate 95 west of Vero Beach.
A white male was seen led away in handcuffs. Two children were escorted by authorities away from the situation as well.
Also, an unidentified woman was seen treated at the scene by Indian River County Fire Rescue.
Calls have been placed to the Indian River County Sheriff’s Office and the Vero Beach Police Department.
This article will be updated at soon as more information becomes available.
