Man accused of trying to kill off-duty Key West police officer. Now, he’s behind bars
.jpg "A man was arrested Saturday night, Feb. 1, 2025, after he charged an off-duty Key West police officer with a large knife, according to his arrest report.")
A man is in Monroe County jail after police say he chased an off-duty Key West officer with a large knife when the officer responded to a domestic violence incident Saturday night, according to his arrest report.
The officer, who lives nearby, walked to an apartment building at 1653 Ellsberg Court after hearing about a woman being thrown to the ground inside one of the units around 8:30 p.m., per the report.
The alleged victim walked outside to speak with him, and as she and the officer talked, 29-year-old Joseph Ignacio Silva called her phone. The woman put the call on speaker, and the officer identified himself.
According to the report, Silva said, “I’m not scared of no [expletive] ass Officer Clark. I’m coming outside.”
Silva then walked outside the apartment carrying what police say was a large knife with a 12-inch blade, charging the officer and making slashing motions with the weapon, the report states.
The officer was forced to run, and Silva chased him, all the while swinging the knife at him, according to the report. At times, the officer could feel the blade swipe against his T-shirt, according to the report.
The officer was able to get inside his home, and Silva went back to his apartment, police say. The officer called his colleagues, and they tried unsuccessfully to convince Silva to come outside.
Police then sent tactical officers and hostage negotiators, who spoke on a bullhorn to try talking Silva to surrender, which he eventually did at 10:50 p.m., according to the report.
He is being held without bond in county jail on charges of attempted murder and aggravated assault with a deadly weapon.
Information about his legal representation was not immediately available.
This story was originally published February 3, 2025 at 2:30 PM.
