A 72-year-old Stock Island man was airlifted to Jackson South Medical Center in Miami Saturday morning with severe injuries to his face after he was attacked at home.
Joe Fernandez of the 5400 block of Robyn Lane suffered a torn ear in the 10 a.m. attack.
The attacker —Nicholas Ray Malicoat, 37, of the 1300 block of 15th Court om Key West — was found at his residence shortly thereafter by Key West Police and arrested.
Malicoat was charged with battery, aggravated battery and aggravated battery on a person 65-years-old or older.
Deputy Freddy Rodriguez responded to Robyn Lane about 10 a.m. whereupon he met Fernandez’s roommate, who told them Fernandez is his landlord, roommate, friend and coworker — they both work as security guards in Key West bars. The roommate said he came home about 9 a.m. after working all night at a downtown Key West bar. He laid down in his bed about 9:30 a.m. and heard a commotion about 30 minutes later.
He left his room to find a man, later identified as Malicoat, on top of Fernandez, reigning blows down upon him with his fists. Fernandez was bleeding profusely from the face and the dining room floor was covered with a large amount of blood. The roommate confronted Malicoat and asked him profanely who he was and what he was doing, to which Malicoat responded, “I am God.” The roommate kicked Malicoat off Fernandez and a brief struggle ensued before the roommate chased Malicoat out of the residence. Malicoat entered a Nissan SUV. The roommate grabbed a rock and threw it at the SUV, causing some damage to the window. Malicoat then fled the scene in the SUV and Deputies arrived shortly thereafter.
Key West Police found Malicoat and took him to the Lower Keys Medical Center on Stock Island due his high heart rate and high blood pressure. Pictures were taken of his knuckles, which were cut and swollen.
Malicoat declined to speak to Detectives.
Fernandez could not be interviewed as he was airlifted to Miami, where he underwent many stitches, but was reported in stable condition.
The roommate identified Malicoat as the suspect in a photo lineup. Fernandez was later able to confirm from the hospital that Malicoat was the attacker.
It remains unclear what transpired prior to the attack.
Malicoat was taken to jail.