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Homeless man stabbed in Jacksonville woods

A man suspected of stabbing a homeless person in Jacksonville’s Edgewood neighborhood is on the loose.

On Wednesday night, a homeless man told the Jacksonville Sheriff’s Office he had set up camp in the woods on Dignan Street when a stranger walked up to him, accused him of “messing with” him, and stabbed him repeatedly.

Officers confirmed the man had multiple stab wounds on his back and shoulder.

The homeless man told police he walked to South Edgewood Avenue, where he was able to flag down help.

The mother of a driver who stopped to help that man told Action News Jax her son saw the victim collapse, with his shirt drenched in blood.

Jeffrey West owns a business just steps away from the woods where the homeless man told police he was stabbed by a stranger.

West said he sees homeless people in the woods all the time, but has never had a reason to worry.

“You notice it and you just keep your eye out, you know. In the daytime, we’ve never had any problems. I’ve been here six years and we’ve never had any problem at night either,” West said.

The Jacksonville Sheriff's Office did not respond to Action News Jax’s questions about why the agency did not notify the public.

“Well, it’s disturbing because we’re here every day, 12 hours a day. And to have something happen that close – and nobody’s told us about it,” West said.

“I looked at this report and I see no reason why this information would not have been shared. You’re talking about a dangerous individual,” said Action News Jax Crime and Safety Expert Ken Jefferson. “The other day, it was a knife. What’s it going to be tomorrow?”

While he was in the hospital, the homeless man was able to give police a description of the man he said stabbed him.

He was able to give a vague description of the man he said stabbed him. He said the man was wearing a puffy green jacket and camouflage pants.