A 21-year-old Clay County man is facing attempted murder charges after allegedly stabbing a victim with ties to Palatka eight times outside a Gainesville bar early Sunday morning, according to police reports.
Papers state that the victim, 32-year-old Christopher Daniels, left a downtown saloon around 2 a.m. with two friends.
Another group was leaving at the same time and began arguing with them, police said.
As both groups walked down Main Street near Second Avenue, the suspect, identified as Brandon Goodin, of Keystone Heights, inserted himself into the dispute despite not being part of either party, according to investigators.
Police said three separate groups then began brawling in the middle of the street before Goodin and two others targeted Daniels.
Goodin allegedly began stabbing Daniels in the side, puncturing him eight times. A nearby patrol officer witnessed the fight, and Daniels reportedly called out that he had been stabbed, naming Goodin as his attacker.
Goodin was detained at gunpoint and taken into custody. Officers later determined that he had handed the knife to his sister.
Daniels was rushed into emergency surgery with life-threatening wounds at UF Health Shands Hospital and remains in the intensive care unit.
Goodin told investigators he acted in self-defense, but witnesses disputed that account.
He is being held at the Alachua County Jail without bond.
Daniels’ sister later posted graphic images of his injuries on a GoFundMe page.
“We are asking for assistance in this matter as the recovery and court proceedings will be lengthy,” the victim’s sister, Kristin Boyles of Palatka wrote. “We are trying to relieve some of the stress by taking care of the bills and necessities for him… Any help is greatly appreciated, as our mother will not leave his side during this time.”
