A 55-year-old New Smyrna Beach resident is facing a felony charge of aggravated battery with a deadly weapon after he attacked a Volusia County library employee earlier today (September 15, 2020) with a pair of scissors.
Burman P. Bedford was taken into custody by the Daytona Beach Police Department (DBPD) soon after a 911 call placed at 11:29 a.m. sent officers to the City Island Regional Library at 105 East Magnolia Avenue.
First responders discovered the victim – a 63-year-old woman – with numerous lacerations to her face and arms and bleeding from one of her eyes.
Paramedics took her from the scene to Halifax Health Medical Center for treatment. Her injuries are not life-threatening.
The suspect was also discovered on scene soon after officers arrived. He was taken into custody at that point.
DBPD’s Criminal Investigation Division went to the library soon afterward to process the scene for evidence and interview witnesses.
Detectives believe the suspect entered the library, went into the children’s section and briefly greeted the victim before attacking her with a pair of scissors he already had in his possession.
A motive for the attack is still being developed, though security footage reviewed on scene by investigators shows that the suspect attacked the victim without any apparent provocation.
Bedford is currently being processed for entry into Volusia County Jail.
Video of the attack will not be released at this time since the investigation is active and ongoing.
