An Episcopal rector in Florida is hospitalized in stable condition following what police said seems to be a random stabbing incident. On Wednesday morning (Oct. 23), Father Matt Marino, lead pastor of Trinity Parish in downtown St. Augustine, was having coffee at a café near the church. According to witnesses, a bicyclist rode past the outside seating, then returned and stabbed Marino, who was wearing clergy attire.
Police quickly spread alerts about a possible suspect, and two hours later they arrested Arienna Gibbs. The 22-year-old, who’s being held without bond, is charged with second-degree attempted homicide, aggravated assault with a deadly weapon, and felony simple battery. According to court records, Gibbs was convicted of simple battery in September and released the same day she was sentenced to a 28-day prison term.
Florida Church Addresses ‘Deeply Concerning’ Incident
Theo Glory, who owns the café where the attack occurred, said he was chatting with regulars Wednesday morning when he spotted Marino on the floor. “We had initially thought that maybe he had a heart attack or something,” Glory said. After realizing the pastor had been stabbed, Glory said people were shocked and wondering “why would somebody do something like that.”
Another witness described seeing blood, as well as people jumping into action to help. “It was pretty wild,” said the unidentified man. “You don’t really hear about stuff like that happening in this area.”
Trinity Parish, located just minutes from the scene of the attack, temporarily put its church and school on lockdown as a precaution. In a statement, Trinity called the stabbing “deeply disturbing” and said Marino was being treated at a Jacksonville hospital. The church requested prayers for the pastor and his family. It also thanked local police and paramedics for their “immediate response.”
The Episcopal Diocese of Florida also released a statement Wednesday, requesting prayers and expressing gratitude to authorities and medical staff. It indicated that Marino was “in stable condition and awake.”
Stabbing of Pastor Was a ‘Senseless Act,’ Say Police
Police haven’t revealed a possible motive and are still investigating. So far, there’s no known connection between the pastor and suspect.
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Dee Brown, a public information officer for the St. Augustine Police Department, said the “whole community” was hurting as a result of the “senseless act.” He added, “We just want to continue to keep the clergy and the members of the church in your prayers.”
