Jacksonville police made an arrest in what they termed a “horrendous” incident Friday that saw a victim beaten, tied and dragged behind a minivan.
Eric Shaun Bridges, 34, was arrested Sunday evening on a charge of attempted murder, the Sheriff’s Office said.
Officers were called to Pearce Street near West 36th Street where a woman was found lying on the street suffering from life-threatening injuries. The Sheriff’s Office said the victim was a man, but LGBT activists report the victim was a transgender woman.
“The victim had been severely beaten and was dragged from a suspect’s minivan by his legs for about two blocks behind a Dodge Caravan with a male driver, Assistant Chief Brien Kee said Friday. Some of the attack was caught on a camera that is part of the Sheriff’s Office’s Real Time Crime Center.
“The video was so graphic we can’t release it. It’s horrendous,” Kee said.
Investigators found the minivan over the weekend and learned it had been reported stolen prior to the incident. Homicide detectives spoke to people in the area, tracked leads and analyzed evidence in and around the crime scene as well as in the vehicle, and tracked down Bridges midday Sunday, the Sheriff’s Office said.
Bridges has eight prior arrests in Jacksonville, mostly for grand theft, according to jail records.
Transgender Awareness Project leader Paige Mahogany Parks posted “Yes JSO keep them coming” on Facebook regarding the Sunday’s arrest.
Last week the Sheriff’s Office also announced an arrest involving another transgender victim. Sean Bernard Phoenix, 21, was charged in the Feb. 4, 2018, shooting death of 36-year-old Celine Walker at the Skinner Lake Drive Extended Stay America. The two had a previous relationship.
