Stabbing attack at Lakeland nightclub leads to arrest of 24-year-old man

LAKELAND, Fla. — A 24-year-old Winter Haven man was arrested after allegedly stabbing another man multiple times at a Lakeland nightclub.

Officers went to a nightclub located at 4951 Highway 98 North after hearing reports that a person had been stabbed. Once officers arrived, they found a 22-year-old man suffering from multiple stab wounds.

The victim said he and another man got into an argument outside on the patio, so he went back inside the bar. That’s when the other man allegedly grabbed the victim from behind and stabbed him approximately four times before leaving, authorities said.

The victim was treated at a local hospital with non-life-threatening injuries.

Several witnesses confirmed the identity of the suspect: Johnnie Brown IV, 24 years old. He was arrested and charged with attempted second degree murder with a deadly weapon. Officials said Brown received a bias enhancement based on a witness who allegedly heard him say a racial slur just before the stabbing.

Brown refused to interview detectives and was taken to the Polk County Jail.

Anyone with additional information about the incident is asked to contact Detective Derek Gulledge at [email protected].

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