Man accused in Daytona Beach hammer attacks granted bond

Daytona Beach, Fla. — Two handymen were attacked by a man with a hammer Friday while working on a house in Daytona Beach, authorities said.

The two victims were beaten on their heads and elsewhere on their bodies, police said.

Police said the attack was likely random, and that the suspect chased others in the neighborhood with the two hammers after the attack.

One of the victim’s, identified as Billy Ford, is in critical condition and is on life support at Halifax Hospital. The second victim, Terry Gross, is in stable condition and sustained injuries to the back of his head.

Authorities said the attacker was found at the scene on Jefferson Street holding two bloody hammers. He was arrested without incident.

Arenthius Jenkins, 32, was charged with two counts of aggravated battery and one count of aggravated assault with a deadly weapon.

Channel 9 learned that Jenkins has an extensive criminal record.

He’s been arrested 16 times since 2000 for grand theft, drugs and domestic violence charges.

A woman who said she is Jenkins' mother told Channel 9 that her son suffers from mental illness.

"My son is a good boy. He didn't mean to do that. He heard voices in his head, and will ya’ll please pray for my son? Please? I worry about and pray for the family too," said the mother, Cheryl Barron.

Barron said her son went to Halifax Medical Center twice Thursday when he started experiencing hallucinations.

She said she was trying to get Jenkins admitted into the hospital before the attack happened.

The suspect’s aunt, Tanya Williams, 32, said Jenkins has been having trouble for quite some time.

“We could’ve done more, but I don’t know what we could’ve done legally,” Williams said.

Cox Media Group