MIAMI – A Miami man was arrested Thursday morning after he attacked his roommate with a kitchen knife, leaving the victim with multiple stab wounds, authorities confirmed Monday.
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An arrest report from the Miami Police Department states that Lazaro Arteaga Cuello, 54, was taken into custody after the incident, which occurred just before 7:45 p.m. at a Miami apartment complex. The location of the complex was redacted in the publicly-released report.
Investigators said Miami police officers and fire rescue personnel were dispatched after receiving reports of a man bleeding. MPD officers said they found the victim, who emerged from an elevator bleeding profusely.
According to police, the victim suffered stab wounds near his right eye, left shoulder, forearm, and hand. Miami Fire Rescue transported him to Jackson Memorial Hospital’s Ryder Trauma Center to be evaluated.
In a statement to police, authorities said the victim said he had been sleeping on a couch in the apartment he shares with Arteaga Cuello when the attack began. He claimed Arteaga Cuello was armed with a kitchen knife and attacked him without provocation, according to the report.
The victim said he initially tried to calm Arteaga Cuello down but was attacked again outside the apartment outside an elevator in the complex, according to investigators. He eventually managed to break free and find refuge in a neighboring unit, police said.
The victim also told police that he and Arteaga Cuello had known each other for over 35 years.
Police said surveillance footage reviewed by investigators reportedly showed Arteaga Cuello armed with a knife and striking the victim multiple times as the victim tried to escape.
Officers detained Arteaga Cuello at the scene and transported him to the MPD’s Violent Crimes Unit for questioning.
After being read his Miranda rights, Arteaga Cuello invoked his right to remain silent, his arrest report states.
Police have not released information regarding a potential motive at this time.
Jail records show Arteaga Cuello is facing one count each of second-degree attempted murder with a deadly weapon and attempting to tamper with physical evidence.
As of Monday, he is being held at the Turner Guilford Knight Correctional Center, where his bond is listed as “to be set.”