Deputies said the accused intruder demanded vehicle keys, took knives from the family’s kitchen and barricaded himself in a bedroom.
PORT ST. JOHN, FL — A Florida mother and her son are recovering after authorities said a man entered their Brevard County home, demanded car keys and attacked them with knives taken from their kitchen.
The July 29 confrontation followed a reported hit-and-run crash on Interstate 95 and another crash near the family’s home, according to the Brevard County Sheriff’s Office and an arrest affidavit cited by local news organizations. Deputies arrested 31-year-old Jadarius West of Orlando after he allegedly barricaded himself inside the residence.
Authorities said the chain of events began around 3:30 p.m. when the Florida Highway Patrol and sheriff’s deputies responded to a report involving a silver Subaru on Interstate 95. Investigators said the vehicle later crashed through a chain-link fence and entered the backyard of an occupied home in the Port St. John area.
The arrest affidavit said West entered the house through a sliding glass door on the rear porch. The residents told investigators that he yelled at them and demanded keys to a vehicle. When they refused, deputies said, he took two knives from the kitchen.
The woman suffered a minor cut to her right palm, according to the affidavit. Her son had a cut beneath his ear and was seen holding a napkin against his neck when deputies arrived. He was taken to a hospital for treatment. Authorities did not release additional information about his condition.
A third person inside the home was not stabbed but fell while attempting to leave, deputies said. Officials did not publicly identify the residents, and no additional injuries were reported.
The mother told FOX 35 Orlando that she raised her hands when the intruder turned toward her before she was cut. She said the encounter left her feeling unsafe in her own home.
Deputies said West went into the home’s primary bedroom and barricaded himself there as officers surrounded the residence. He later broke a window and surrendered. Authorities transported him to a medical center, where he was cleared before being booked into the Brevard County Jail.
Booking information and local reports show West faces several allegations, including armed burglary of an occupied dwelling, aggravated battery with a deadly weapon, aggravated battery on a person over 65, aggravated assault with a deadly weapon and aggravated assault on a person over 65. Other allegations include criminal mischief, leaving the scene of a crash and driving with a suspended license. The charges are accusations, and West is presumed innocent unless proved guilty in court.
West remained jailed without bond as of the latest available reports. Authorities had not released information about his next court appearance or identified a possible motive beyond the alleged demand for vehicle keys.
Author note: Last updated August 4, 2026.