Crime & Public Safety

Police: Florida man attacks bar bouncers with rusty machete

By Ben Becker
Sept 23, 2015

A man accused of running into a bar and attacking two bouncers with a machete is out of jail.

>>RELATED: Machete attacks in South Florida [Palm Beach Post]

The incident happened at the Panama Hattie's on St. Augustine Beach.

>> Read more trending stories

According to police, 21-year-old Austin Rife was kicked out early Saturday morning. When he returned a few minutes later, he was "very angry," asked for the person who kicked him out and then started swinging a rusty machete. He cut two bouncers, one in the abdomen and the other in the left forearm.

Action News Jax attempted to speak with Panama Hattie's management, but they weren't available for comment.

Rife was briefly staying at a nearby home. The owner told Action News Jax off camera that Rife was acting strange that night, and when he returned to the property Rife had blood all over his face and said he was going to jail for the rest of his life.

No one answered when we went to the home where Rife was arrested by St. Johns County Sheriff's Office deputies a few hours after the incident.
 
Rife is facing two counts of aggravated battery. He was released Sunday evening after posting $20,500 bond.

About the Author

Ben Becker

More Stories