A Wayne County man accused of stabbing a man while walking on a trail in Perinton Monday morning has been charged with several felonies, according to the Monroe County Sheriff’s Office.
Derrick Van Epps, 30, of Palmyra was charged with attempted second-degree murder and second-degree assault, both felonies, in connection with the incident, said sheriff’s spokesman Deputy Brendan Hurley.
The encounter occurred at Indian Hill — a 35-acre wooded property known for its hiking trails on Pittsford-Palmyra Road, near Turk Hill Road — around 11:50 a.m., Hurley said. The stabbing victim was walking on a trail within the park when he passed another man, “who, with no provocation, attacked the victim from behind,” Hurley said.
Van Epps is accused of attacking the hiker, knocking him to the ground and stabbing him multiple times with a hunting knife, Hurley said.
Emergency responders learned that the man suspected in the incident was driving away from the scene.
Hurley said that park security spotted the man driving into nearby Egypt Park,at the corner of Pittsford-Palmyra and Victor roads in Perinton. Deputies apprehended the man without incident at the park.
The injured man was taken to an area hospital for treatment, Hurley said. His injuries were not considered life-threatening, according to the Sheriff’s Office.
Van Epps was arraigned in CAP Court and was remanded to the Monroe County Jail in lieu of $50,000 cash bail or $150,000 bond. He is scheduled to return to court on Friday, according to jail records.
Deputies said they believe that Van Epps “acted alone and there are no outstanding suspects.”
This article originally appeared on Rochester Democrat and Chronicle: Wayne County man charged after random trail stabbing in Perinton
Reporting by Victoria E. Freile, New York Connect Team / Rochester Democrat and Chronicle
USA TODAY Network via Reuters Connect
