Police: Suspect in fatal stabbing recently released from prison

ORANGE COUNTY, Fla. — A man was arrested for stabbing a disabled man to death inside a McDonald's, Orlando police said Wednesday.

Police said the man was stabbed by Jerry Tyson, 38, while trying to order food inside the restaurant on Colonial Drive, near John Young Parkway.

"He stabbed him like seven times and then he walked out," said witness Tyrone Wesley.

According to police, Tyson attempted to grab the money from the victim’s hands, and police said, the victim refused to let Tyson have the money. Police said Tyson then stabbed the victim several times in the stomach.

"He was trying to defend himself, but he couldn’t really. He was in a wheelchair. There wasn't much he could do. He (Tyson) stabbed him like seven times and then he walked out," Wesley said.

The victim died on his way to the hospital. Police had not released his name Wednesday afternoon, but friends said he lived in a nearby apartment complex.

Friends said they knew him as "The Music Man" because he always made CDs for his neighbors. They said he was a good man who was disabled most of his life.

Witnesses said they were shocked when the attempted robbery turned into a fatal stabbing.

"I was walking by and I seen all the police coming and helicopters in the air," said witness David Williams. "It's Christmas and people still getting killed. I don't know what's going on. It scared me, man."

Tyson then ran out of the restaurant toward a Winn Dixie behind the McDonald's, police said.

A witness said he saw Tyson throw the knife to the ground.

Police said Tyson crossed John Young Parkway to hide in a small patch of trees.

A police K-9 tracked him down and the suspect was arrested.

Tyson was charged with second-degree murder and robbery, police said.

WFTV learned Tyson was released from prison five days before the stabbing, after serving time for a homicide in Osceola County. He was supposed to report to a probation office on Friday but never showed up.

Because he never showed up for his probation appointment, a spokesperson with the Department of Corrections said they were in the process of revoking his probation and putting him back in jail.

Tyson was being held without bond late Wednesday.

WFTV