ISLAMORADA, Fla. – Monroe County Sheriff Rick Ramsay said that the 17 year old-teen who murdered his brother and stabbed his father then held him hostage for two hours Thursday morning has a history with law enforcement.
Daniel Weisberger is no stranger to the juvenile system and courts, Ramsay said Thursday. “This is a very volatile situation, which wound up being the worst it could be unfortunately,” Ramsay said.
On Thursday evening The Monroe County Sheriff’s Office reported that Weisberger was severely injured when he was struck by a moving car near Founders Park at Mile Marker 87. He was airlifted to Jackson Memorial Hospital’s Ryder Trauma Center.
Weisberger fatally stabbed his brother, Pascal Weisberger, 14, and his father, who was identified as Ariel Jacob Poholek, 43, near Mile Marker 87.2.
Authorities said Poholek’s neighbor at the Executive Bay Club townhomes called 911 around 6 a.m. after the man approached him and told him that his teenage son had stabbed him multiple times, including in the neck, and had also stabbed his younger brother.
It’s unclear what led up to the stabbing.
Deputies said Weisberger fled the scene before authorities arrived.
“The older son had stabbed, slashed and butchered the young son. The father had come in to see what was going on when he was also attacked,” said Monroe County Sheriff Rick Ramsay. He said Poholek was held hostage in a room for about two hours with multiple neck injuries.
The teen’s younger brother was pronounced dead at the scene.
Poholek was airlifted to Jackson Memorial Hospital’s Ryder Trauma Center in Miami, where he is out of surgery and stable, according to his family.
Earlier in the day as police searched for Weisberger, Ramsay said: "He’s on the run. He knows he’s being looked for. He knows what the situation is: ‘If you get caught, this could mean the rest of your life in prison.' "
Authorities said he had no license or car and thought he may be heading to St. Lucie County, where his mother lives.
“We are processing this horrific tragedy and ask for privacy, respect and to keep all of us, including Daniel, in your hearts and prayers,” Poholek’s brother, Zachary James, said.