A late-night encounter on a crowded Miami Beach shoreline escalated into a near-fatal attack after a man refused to give a stranger a cigarette or let him borrow his phone, according to police and court records.
Authorities say the suspect, identified as 24-year-old Jack Daniel Gutierrez, is accused of slashing the victim’s throat with a bladed weapon before fleeing the scene. Gutierrez now faces a felony charge of aggravated battery with a weapon causing great bodily harm and is being held without bond at the Turner Guilford Knight Correctional Center.
The incident occurred on Oct. 23, 2025, near the 1700 block of Collins Avenue. An arrest report obtained by Miami-based independent station WPLG states that the victim had been walking along the beach before sitting near a lifeguard tower. While seated, he was approached by Gutierrez, who asked if he had a cigarette to share.
The man told police he does not smoke. Gutierrez then asked to borrow the man’s cellphone. After the second request was also denied, the victim believed the encounter had ended and that Gutierrez had walked away.
Moments later, police say, Gutierrez suddenly attacked him with “a knife or bladed weapon.” The victim reported feeling a “puncture to his neck” as the suspect slashed his throat and ran from the area.
According to the arrest report, the victim soon realized he was seriously injured and “felt a heavy volume of blood pouring from his neck.” Despite the severity of the wound, he was able to activate a hands-free Siri function on his phone to call 911.
Responding officers found the victim with a “large laceration along [his] neck from ear to ear.” He was rushed to a nearby hospital for treatment. While his current condition has not been publicly disclosed, WPLG reported that he later identified Gutierrez in a photo lineup.
Following a search, police arrested Gutierrez on Thursday. Jail records indicate he was already on probation at the time of the attack for a previous weapons-related charge. He is scheduled to return to court on Monday.
The case adds to ongoing concerns about violent crime along heavily trafficked tourist areas in South Florida, as investigators continue to examine the circumstances surrounding the unprovoked attack.
