Man Seen Covered in Blood Charged with Attempted Murder

Michael Highsmith, 24, of 2900 N. Buffman St., Milwaukee, was arrested Sunday for attempted murder, aggravated battery great bodily harm, aggravated battery with a deadly weapon and armed  robbery, reported the Lake County Sheriff's Department.

At about 1 p.m., the Lake County Sheriff’s Office Highway Patrol responded to Crawford Road, south of Route 173, after a passing motorist saw Highsmith exit the area with blood on him, according to a sheriff's department press release.

The passing motorist also saw the victim, a 66-year-old Wisconsin man, lying in the woods bleeding.

Newport Rescue transported the victim to Advocate Condell Medical Center in Libertyville. The victim sustained a cut throat, bleeding on his brain, slashed eyelids, cut wrists, a dislocated shoulder, and a broken tibia and fibula, reported the sheriff's department. 

Highsmith told Lake County Sheriff’s Office detectives that he and the victim knew each other for over four years. He admitted to attacking the victim and stealing his jewelry.

Highsmith’s bond was set at $1 million  He is scheduled to appear in court on May 7.