Attempted Murder Charge Filed In Clearwater Gas Station Attack

CLEARWATER, FL — A New Port Richey man was charged with first-degree attempted murder in an unprovoked stabbing attack early Wednesday morning at a Clearwater gas station, the Pinellas County Sheriff’s Office said in a news release.

Enrique Lopez, 44, was also charged with battery on a law enforcement officer and resisting an officer with violence.

The victim, 51-year-old Dale Jabonero, was smoking outside the Rally gas station at 3400 Ulmerton Road just before 1 a.m. when Lopez asked him for a cigarette, the sheriff’s office said.

They talked for a bit before Lopez walked away to speak with another customer at the gas station.

Not long after this, Lopez returned and punched Jabonero in the face, unprovoked, the sheriff’s office said.

Jabonero tried to walk away but Lopez followed him, continuing to punch him until he fell to the ground. Once he was on the ground, Lopez stabbed him repeatedly, PCSO said.

When deputies arrived, Lopez went into the gas station, where they took him into custody.
Jabonero was brought to a local hospital in stable condition.

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