St. Pete Library Patron Stabbed In Chest: Reports

ST. PETERSBURG, FL — A man was charged with attempted murder after stabbing someone Friday afternoon at Mirror Lake Community Library at 280 5th Street N. in St. Petersburg, according to multiple reports.

Tavaris Cunningham, 28, was acting “erratically” while sitting next to the victim around 2:30 p.m.in the library’s computer area, WTSP reported.

After the victim asked him to calm down, Cunningham pulled an 8-inch kitchen knife from a bag and stabbed him in the chest, WFLA said.

“I stabbed him in the heart,” he told St. Pete police. “I stabbed him above the waist, which means 25 years to life.”

Cunningham, who has a history of mental illness, also cut the victim in his left thigh and left hand, reports said.

While interviewed by police, the suspect later claimed that the victim attacked him first, according to the Tampa Bay Times.