MIAMI BEACH, Fla. – A night out in South Beach took a violent turn early Friday morning, leaving one man hospitalized with severe injuries and another in police custody following a stabbing near a popular nightclub, authorities confirmed Monday.
Miami Beach police said officers responded in emergency mode to the 1500 block of Washington Avenue after receiving reports of a stabbing around midnight.
Upon arriving at the scene, officers said they found a man suffering from a gruesome abdominal wound.
According to police, the victim’s injury was severe, with parts of his intestines protruding from his body due to a deep laceration.
Investigators said emergency personnel from Miami Beach Fire Rescue arrived quickly, provided immediate medical care, and rushed him to Jackson Memorial Hospital’s Ryder Trauma Center, where he was listed in critical condition.
Doctors told police the stabbing caused a three-to-four-inch laceration, puncturing the victim’s small bowel, and required emergency surgery.
A Violent Confrontation
The altercation that led to the stabbing reportedly began outside Club Exchange Miami, a popular venue located at 1532 Washington Avenue. Witnesses told police that an argument erupted between the victim and a group of men shortly after they left the club.
Police said a group of the victim’s friends chased the alleged attacker and his accomplice as they fled eastbound toward Collins Avenue.
Police quickly responded and detained three individuals matching the description provided by witnesses. Among those detained was 46-year-old Malik Edwards, who they said was later identified as the primary suspect in the stabbing.
During a pat-down search, officers said they found two folding pocket knives in Edwards’ possession. One of the knives, a green serrated blade, had visible traces of wet blood on it, according to an arrest report. Officers also detained another man, who witnesses said was accompanying Edwards at the time of the attack.
Witness Accounts and Identification
Investigators interviewed several witnesses at the scene. One of the individuals who had been celebrating with friends as part of a bachelor party, told police that the stabbing followed a brief argument, which he believed was over women they had encountered outside the club.
Welch provided a detailed account of the events leading up to the stabbing, noting that he had seen Edwards holding the knife as the victim staggered and collapsed after being wounded.
Another witness confirmed the victim’s friend’s account, stating that he had also seen Edwards fleeing the scene with an accomplice shortly after the attack.
A show-up identification process was conducted with the detainees, during which the victim’s friend and another witness positively identified Edwards as the man who stabbed the victim.
Both witnesses also confirmed that a second individual was present at the scene and fled with Edwards after the attack.
Despite witness accounts and identification, Edwards’ accomplice was later located and, during his police interview, claimed he was merely trying to protect Edwards from a group of people shouting that Edwards had stabbed someone. The accomplice, a friend of the victim, stated he never saw a weapon and had no knowledge of what had transpired.
Police have not confirmed the victim’s age, condition, or what led to the reported altercation.
Jail records show Edwards is facing one count of aggravated battery with a deadly weapon.
Edwards appeared in Miami-Dade bond court Sunday afternoon, where a judge appointed him a public defender and found probable cause in his case. The judge set his bond at $15,000 and ordered him to be placed under house arrest with a GPS monitor. During the proceedings, Edwards also informed the judge that he works as a security guard.
Additionally, the judge issued an order requiring Edwards to stay away from the victim. No other arrests have been announced at this time.
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