Ormond Beach man allegedly slashed teenager's face during argument

VOLUSIA COUNTY, Fla. – An Ormond Beach man was arrested Wednesday on suspicion of attacking a 17-year-old boy with a knife after the two got into an argument.

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According to officials, the victim was jogging from one house to another shortly before 9:15 p.m. Wednesday when he encountered a man on a bicycle, later identified as 34-year-old RJ Charles Phifer.

According to the sheriff's office, the victim admitted to saying some “not nice words” to Phifer, after which the two began arguing.

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Officers said Phifer then slashed the victim in the face with a knife before riding away from the scene on his bicycle.

According to the sheriff's office, a resident heard the commotion and left his home to help the victim, who was taken to the hospital for treatment of stab wounds to his nose and lip before being released.

Initial attempts to locate Phifer were unsuccessful, officials say. However, investigators later found surveillance video that showed parts of the attack and gave them a detailed description of Phifer.

Ormond Beach man allegedly cut teenager's face during argument RJ Charles Phifer, 34, charged with aggravated child abuse, possession of drug paraphernalia and possession of a controlled substance without a prescription.

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According to the sheriff's office, Phifer was later stopped by officers from another shift while riding his bicycle in the area and was found to still have the knife used in the attack in his possession.

According to investigators, Phifer did not admit to being involved in an altercation earlier in the day, but spontaneously stated that he “did not stab anyone.”

Officers said they also found methamphetamine in Phifer's possession when they arrested him.

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One of the witnesses who provided video of the attack later came forward and positively identified Phifer as the person responsible for the stabbing attack.

At that point, Phifer was arrested and later booked into the Volusia County Jail on charges of aggravated child abuse, possession of drug paraphernalia, and possession of a controlled substance without a prescription. He remains there without bail to this day.

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