Details Emerge In Avon Park Machete Attack

SEBRING - Details into the Avon Park attempted murder investigation for suspect Paul Dion Hamilton were released Monday by authorities.

According to a probable cause narrative provided by the Avon Park Police Department, Hamilton reportedly attacked a female victim and mother of his child, age 27, on Feb. 10, with a machete after a verbal argument.

The attack took place in a driveway near the 400 block of West Hall Street, in Avon Park.

According to the narrative, Hamilton and the victim were engaged in a verbal argument indoors when Hamilton and the victim exited a home.

As the couple left the home, Hamilton reportedly grabbed the victim by the throat and forced her towards his parked Ford F-150 truck, where he opened the door of the vehicle and removed a machete.

According the to narrative, Hamilton then began slashing the victim with the machete, striking her several times in the head, face, arms and hands. The victim then reportedly began to flee from Hamilton, who chased her to a neighbor's yard to continue the attack.

Hamilton then fled the area in his vehicle. The victim identified Hamilton as her attacker before she was airlifted to a local trauma unit.

According to the narrative, there was a witness, age 20, who informed authorities that she observed the attack.

Hamilton was arrested in Tampa on Wednesday night and reportedly had in his possession a carry-on bag containing clothing, identification, a passport and money, leading investigators to believe he was planning to flee the country.

As of Monday, the victim was still in critical condition at a nearby hospital. The severity of her injuries has forced her to undergo multiple surgeries and doctors are unsure as to whether the victim will ever have full use of her hands following the attack.

Hamilton was booked into the Highlands County Jail on Friday, were he is being held without bond on an attempted second-degree murder charge.