Man Charged in Random Stabbing Death of Woman in Stuart

A 25-year-old man from a nearby Florida neighborhood has been charged with first-degree premeditated murder after authorities say he randomly stabbed a woman in her 70s to death while she walked her dog in the quiet Southwood community of Stuart on Thursday afternoon.

Kersten Francilus approached the victim in a cul-de-sac and stabbed her upwards of 16 times, according to prosecutors who detailed the attack during his court appearance the following day. Martin County Sheriff's deputies responded to initial reports of a suspicious man knocking on doors and asking residents about a new bank that does not exist in the residential area. Witnesses described Francilus as calm and non-confrontational during those interactions, which prompted multiple 911 calls around 4 p.m.

As deputies arrived to investigate the odd behavior, additional calls reported the man attacking a woman. The first responding deputy found Francilus still stabbing the victim while she lay on the ground. A good Samaritan attempted to intervene but could not stop the assault. The deputy drew his weapon and ordered Francilus to halt; the suspect immediately dropped the knife, lay on the ground and surrendered without...