A Florida man has been arrested for stabbing his neighbor in what authorities are calling an unprovoked attack. The incident took place on July 19, 2025, in Deerfield Beach, at an apartment complex on Newport Terrace.
The victim, who requires oxygen due to COPD, was left seriously injured after being stabbed in the chest. The accused man, Paul Anthony Vargas Arana, now faces charges of attempted murder.
Attack Details and Immediate Response
At approximately 11:30 a.m., the Deerfield Beach Police responded to a call about a stabbing. Upon arrival, officers found the victim suffering from a stab wound to the upper left chest. Vargas Arana was still at the scene and appeared with a bump on his head and a cut on his left wrist.
Paramedics quickly rushed the victim, who was already on oxygen, to a nearby hospital where doctors discovered that the knife had punctured his lung, causing internal bleeding. Despite the severity of his injuries, the victim is currently in stable condition.
Events Leading Up to the Stabbing
According to investigators, the victim was returning home from shopping and lunch when the attack occurred. He was greeted by his wife outside their apartment, and they were walking inside together when Vargas Arana suddenly appeared.
The accused man, who had been a neighbor for about 10 years, ran down the stairs wearing surgical gloves and holding a knife with blades welded onto it. The police report states that Vargas Arana then stabbed the victim “without provocation.”
As the victim fought back, he reportedly asked, “Paulie, why are you doing this?” At that moment, the victim’s wife ran inside the apartment to grab a metal pipe. She returned and struck Vargas Arana on the head with the pipe, allowing deputies to intervene and arrest him.
Unknown Motive and Arrest
The exact reason for the attack remains unclear. While Vargas Arana and the victim had known each other for a decade, it’s believed that mental health issues could have played a role in the unprovoked stabbing.
Authorities are still investigating the circumstances surrounding the attack. Vargas Arana was arrested and taken to Broward County Jail, where he is being held without bond.
This shocking incident has left the community in disbelief, especially since the attacker and the victim were familiar with each other. While the motive is still unknown, this case raises questions about potential mental health issues that could have contributed to such a violent act.
Authorities continue to investigate the circumstances surrounding the stabbing, as the victim’s family hopes for his full recovery.
