Palmetto man expected to survive stabbing; witnesses mum, police say

PALMETTO -- A 25-year-old man was in the intensive care unit at Blake Medical Center Sunday night after surgery for a stab wound suffered at a Palmetto apartment complex Sunday afternoon.

The victim, who is expected to survive because of prompt medical attention, was in the parking lot of the Palmetto Trace Apartments, in the 200 block of Seventh Avenue East, Palmetto, at 1:50 p.m. Sunday when the crime occurred, according to Palmetto Police Chief Scott Tyler.

"Officers told me he was stabbed in the back," Tyler said.

A group of people saw the stabbing, and there was a large crowd when the police arrived at the apartment complex, but so far no one has been willing to give police any details, including the name or a description of the perpetrator, Tyler said.

"No one wants to tell us anything," Tyler said. "We know there was a large crowd at the scene, including some associates of the victim, but no one is cooperating. But we will be back on Monday to canvass the neighborhood."

Investigators hope to be able to talk to the victim on Monday, Tyler added.

This crime doesn't seem random, Tyler said.

"I think there were acquaintances together and an argument or something like that ensued," Tyler said.

Tyler is asking Palmetto Trace residents who saw the crime or know anything about it to call Palmetto Detective Dave Burns at 941-224-8828. People can also receive a reward for anonymous tips leading to an arrest and a conviction in the case by calling Crime Stoppers at 866-634-8477 or going on line at manateecrimestoppers.com.

This story was originally published December 6, 2015 at 9:45 PM with the headline "Palmetto man expected to survive stabbing; witnesses mum, police say ."