An undocumented immigrant was apprehended after allegedly launching a surprise attack on a woman at a Florida beach, dragging her into the ocean by the throat, and attempting to drown her before leaving her for dead, according to authorities.
Said Alexander Hernandez Gonzalez, a 26-year-old Venezuelan national, carried out the disturbing and random late-night assault at Tiger Shores Beach in Stuart, as reported by the Martin County Sheriff’s Office.
Sheriff John Budensiek expressed deep concern over the incident, mentioning that Gonzalez had overstayed his work visa, as reported by WPEC.
The victim, who was walking alone along the shoreline while on the phone around 11 p.m., was approached by Gonzalez from behind. He struck her, pulled her hair, grabbed her neck, and forced her head underwater in a terrifying attack.
The woman recounted trying to synchronize her breaths with the waves during the struggle, but eventually lost consciousness. Believing her to be dead, Gonzalez allegedly threw her phone into the ocean, returned to his car to consume marijuana and vodka, and then fled the scene.
The victim later regained consciousness, finding herself partially submerged in water, and managed to walk over a mile to Stuart Beach, where deputies discovered her with bruises on her neck.
Gonzalez was apprehended on Sunday after making suicidal threats and claiming to have murdered a woman on a beach. He confessed to the assault, stating that the victim had made him angry and callously remarked, “I don’t feel nothing” when asked about remorse.
Charged with attempted murder, Gonzalez also faced a federal immigration detainer and is currently held at Martin County Jail.
