An Auburndale man has been charged with Attempted 2nd Degree Murder after a stabbing occurred in Winter Haven.
On April 16, 2025 at approximately 8:30 p.m., Winter Haven Police responded to a call of a stabbing that occurred at a residence on Ave. Q NW in Winter Haven. Due to the injuries, the female victim was airlifted to Lakeland Regional Health where she remains in critical but stable condition.
The victim advised officers that after a trip to the store, as she returned to the residence, 54 year-old Michael Laverro Patterson (DOB 12-15-70, 1203 Price Ave., Auburndale, FL) appeared from behind a building asking, “Why can’t we talk, why did you stop talking to me?” The victim could tell Patterson was agitated and attempted to calm him down, requesting that he allow her to place her items into the residence.
As the victim attempted to put the key into the lock, Patterson stated, “I really want to hurt you bitch, I really want to hurt you, I want to kill you.” The victim then felt punches on the left side of the back of her neck and shoulder and immediately felt blood. As she screamed for help, Patterson walked away from the area.
The victim knew Patterson and had been previously talking with him over the telephone until he became verbally abusive, so she stopped all communication. After ending communication, Patterson would follow her to her residence where ultimately she had him trespassed in January 2025. He had not shown back up at the residence until this incident, however he had been to her place of employment.
Officers searched the area and located Patterson at the top of the bridge on the Chain of Lakes Trail near Martin Luther King Blvd. NW and Unity Way. Patterson was detained, however refused to speak with officers.
Patterson was taken into custody and booked into the Polk County Jail for one count of Attempted 2nd Degree Murder (F1) and one count of Trespass after Warning (M2).
