Stabbing suspect accused in Hernando County machete attack arrested: ‘I don’t wanna go back to jail’
BROOKSVILLE, Fla. - A Hernando County man who ‘didn’t wanna go back to jail’ found himself behind bars after deputies say he attacked his live-in boyfriend with a machete on Monday night.
The victim reportedly told investigators that he caught Douglas Albert Fullerton, 24, going through his text messages and confronted him about it. That’s when, according to HCSO, Fullerton got a machete out of another room and swung it, hitting him in the face.
Deputies say the victim said he grabbed the blade, so he wouldn’t be hit again, but Fullerton dropped the machete, grabbed a silver kitchen knife, and continued stabbing him. When the victim turned to run, he said he could feel the knife in his back.
According to HCSO, the victim ran into a bathroom and called 911 around 11 p.m. as Fullerton yelled outside the door, "Tell them you got into an accident. I don’t wanna go back to jail."
Courtesy: Hernando County Sheriff's Office
Deputies say Fullerton chased the victim outside, but when he reached a nearby property, Fullerton was gone. The victim stayed at the neighboring property until deputies arrived.
He was taken to an area hospital with a deep laceration to his face, fractures to his facial bones, and minor cuts to his hands and back.
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Deputies tried to find Fullerton with the help of K-9 and drone units but couldn’t locate him.
On Tuesday, HCSO released Fullerton's photo and asked the community to help locate him. A few hours later, the agency received a tip regarding Fullerton's whereabouts, and he was arrested.
Fullerton was wanted for aggravated battery with a deadly weapon. He also had an active warrant for violation of probation for possession of a controlled substance.
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