Florida Keys

Broward man arrested, accused of threatening, attacking woman at Florida Keys motel

A Broward man attacked a woman at a Florida Keys motel, threatening her with a firearm. Arrested by Monroe County deputies, he faces multiple charges.
A Broward man attacked a woman at a Florida Keys motel, threatening her with a firearm. Arrested by Monroe County deputies, he faces multiple charges.

A Broward man attacked a woman and threatened her life at a Florida Keys motel early Friday morning, authorities said.

Around 1 a.m., Monroe County Sheriff’s Office deputies rushed to the Big Pine Motel regarding a woman scared of being shot, authorities said.

Deputies talked to the woman, who said she was in a car with John Fitzpatrick, a 41-year-old Hallandale Beach man, in the parking lot of the motel when he became hostile.

He pulled out a gun, told her he was dangerous, grabbed her chest and tore her dress, deputies said. As she ran out of the car, he tried to grab her wrist — she was able to pull away.

Deputies said Fitzpatrick ran from them but was caught. Deputies said they found a loaded gun when he was searched.

He was arrested and charged with aggravated assault with a deadly weapon, possession of a firearm by a felon, battery, committing an unnatural or lascivious act, criminal mischief and resisting arrest.

Devoun Cetoute
Miami Herald
Miami Herald Cops and Breaking News Reporter Devoun Cetoute covers a plethora of Florida topics, from breaking news to crime patterns. He was on the breaking news team that won a Pulitzer Prize in 2022. He’s a graduate of the University of Florida, born and raised in Miami-Dade. Theme parks, movies and cars are on his mind in and out of the office.
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