Residents Never Warned of Fleeing Stabbing Suspect Who Threatened to 'Kill Someone'

SPRING HILL – On Saturday, R News received information about a stabbing that occurred in the area of Treehaven Drive. Today, officials released information about the incident and advised that the violent suspect is still at large.

According to the Hernando County Sheriff's Office, around 2:15 a.m. Saturday, Sheriff's Deputies and Fire Rescue responded to 6715 Treehaven Drive in reference to an injured person. Upon arrival, they located the victim who had a severe laceration to his face and was bleeding profusely.

Prior to being transported to the hospital, the victim told investigators that he was visiting 39-year-old Steven Slattery at his residence located at 6610 Treehaven Drive. The victim says they got into an argument after Slattery accused him of stealing his money and drugs. That's when Slattery produced a knife and slashed his face. During the altercation, Slattery told the victim, "I'm not afraid to go back to prison," and that he was willing to kill someone. Slattery fled the scene and has not been located.

The Sheriff's Office has issued a warrant for Slattery's arrest.

The victim will recover from his injuries, say officials.

R News received several complaints after the incident from people who say they were never warned about the violent suspect being loose in the neighborhood. The Sheriff's Office urges the community to utilize the agency's smartphone application to receive instant urgent alerts, but it was not used in this case to warn the residents. The majority of alerts published on the App are weather-related or sex offender change of address notifications. Residents say the lack of warning could have led to Slattery harming other residents during his desperate efforts to hide from authorities. Some say the lack of notification was due to the upcoming election and Sheriff Nienhuis' claims that "crime is down." Nienhuis will face off against opponent Joe Puglia in the August 20 Primary Election.