A Marion County deputy in Dunnellon was ambushed and repeatedly stabbed after answering a call about a suspicious person, bodycam footage shows, and the investigation says his vest likely prevented a deadly outcome. The suspect fled into woods but surrendered after backup arrived, and detectives later charged him with attempted murder of a law enforcement officer and additional offenses. The exchange captured post-arrest included threats from the suspect, and authorities recovered two blood-stained knives at the scene.
Deputy Robert Fitch pulled up to a residence just before 5 p.m. after a report about someone acting suspiciously in the 11775 NW 10th Place area. As he stepped out of his patrol vehicle, the suspect lunged and immediately forced the deputy to the ground. Officials say the attack escalated quickly with the suspect on top of the deputy delivering repeated chest stabbings.
The assailant was identified as 38-year-old Heriberto Medina Marquez, who then bolted into nearby woods after the initial assault. A second deputy arrived soon after and the injured officer was able to get to safety, leaving responding deputies to search the area. Marquez emerged from the trees and surrendered without further violence once confronted by additional officers.
At the scene, detectives located two folding knives that investigators say had fresh blood on them, which they tied to the violent confrontation. Medical personnel evaluated Deputy Fitch and described his injuries as minor in official statements. Authorities repeatedly credited the deputy’s bulletproof vest with preventing a far worse outcome, saying the body armor absorbed what otherwise could have been fatal trauma.
During and after his arrest, Marquez made threats and taunts that were captured on audio, including the lines “I should have killed you, bitch. You know that, right?” and “I should have killed you. You’re lucky I didn’t.” Those identical words echo later in official transcripts and footage, reflecting the suspect’s statements while in custody. Investigators included those remarks in their case file as evidence of intent and malice.
Detectives conducted interviews and combed the scene for evidence before arresting Marquez on charges tied to the ambush. He was booked into the Marion County Jail and held without bond on the attempted murder count, with additional charges for resisting without violence and giving a false name. Law enforcement officials said the charges reflected their determination that the attack on Deputy Fitch was deliberate.
Neighbors in Dunnellon told investigators they were shaken by the sudden violence in a normally quiet area roughly an hour south of Gainesville and an hour and a half north of Tampa. Local law enforcement urged calm while detectives worked through witness statements and forensic testing. The presence of the knives and the suspect’s recorded threats shaped the prosecutorial case early on.
Bodycam images taken during the encounter were used by detectives to reconstruct the sequence of events, and screenshots have been shared with investigators as part of the evidence package. Those stills show the altercation and the moments after deputies restrained the suspect. Small details in the footage, like the deputy’s vest and the scene’s layout, helped confirm witness accounts.
Marquez remained in custody after processing, with officials noting the seriousness of attacking a law enforcement officer in the line of duty. The sheriff’s office said investigators would continue to gather evidence before turning the case over to prosecutors. For now, the focus is on completing a full review of video, physical evidence, and witness testimony to support the charges.
Authorities emphasized the role of training and equipment in keeping officers safer during unexpected attacks, citing this incident as an example of why body armor and backup protocols matter. The department praised the quick response by the second deputy who arrived on scene and helped end the confrontation without further bloodshed. Officials also said they would provide support to the injured deputy and keep the community informed as the case moves forward.
Investigators confirmed that standard processing of the knives and other evidence is underway, and that tests will determine any links to wounds sustained during the assault. The investigation also includes interviews to clarify the timeline and any possible motives behind Marquez’s actions. Deputies and detectives say the case will proceed through the criminal justice system once evidence is compiled and charges are finalized.
The following is bodycam video of the attack and arrest. Content warning: Language.
Image source: Marion County (Fla.) Sheriff’s Office bodycam video screenshot
Image source: Marion County (Fla.) Sheriff’s Office bodycam video screenshot
Medina Marquez. Image source: Marion County (Fla.) Sheriff’s Office
