TALLAHASSEE, FL — After a violent stabbing at Cascades Park, Tallahassee police are stepping up patrols to reassure the community and prevent further incidents.
- A stabbing incident at Cascades Park left two women injured and the suspect dead.
- Tallahassee Police Department (TPD) plans to increase presence in the park.
- Watch the video below to hear what neighbors have to say about the incident.
UPDATED BROADCAST TRANSCRIPT:
Neighbors who visit Cascades Park say it’s usually a place for families to relax — but Wednesday, it became the scene of a stabbing attack.
“Now I’m really nervous. It’s gonna make me feel uncomfortable to come here,” neighbor Gayle Bosworth said.
I’m Lentheus Chaney in the downtown Tallahassee neighborhood — with new details about the suspect, the victims, and the county’s response to community concerns.
TPD says it will keep a stronger presence at Cascades Park in the coming days — both to reassure visitors and to gather more information about the attack.
It started as a welfare check that quickly escalated into chaos.
Police say around 5:20 p.m., they were alerted that 19-year-old Octavious McCaine left home in an agitated state — and might become dangerous.
Officers were called to Cascades Park for reports of someone in distress.
Just minutes later, multiple 911 calls reported two women had been stabbed. They are still recovering.
Police say McCaine ran toward a pond inside the park — climbing a retaining wall before jumping in.
The Leon County Sheriff’s dive team recovered his body. He was pronounced dead on scene.
For neighbors like Gayle Bosworth — who walks her dog at the park every evening — the incident changes how safe the park feels.
“Now I worry for everybody that’s coming through here, but I’m hoping this is a one-time incident,” Bosworth said.
Police say McCaine was experiencing a severe mental health episode at the time.
Investigators are still working to determine a clear motive.
Neighbor Elliott Sheppard says that even after the incident, he still feels safe at the park.
“This is a beautiful park and I feel that sometimes it’s difficult to say where is a safe place or not because challenges like this can happen anywhere,” Sheppard said.
TPD Chief Lawrence Revell released a statement of comfort to the families involved that stated in part:
“This was a deeply unsettling incident, and our thoughts and prayers are with the victims, their families, and the witnesses who were impacted.”
As the investigation continues, police are asking anyone who witnessed something but didn’t speak with officers that night to come forward.
In Downtown Tallahassee, I’m Lentheus Chaney, ABC27.
UPDATE (9/11/2025)
1:41 p.m.:
The Tallahassee Police Department has released more information regarding Wednesday's stabbing at Cascades Park.
They said around 5:20 p.m., they received a call that 19-year-old Octavious McCaine had abruptly left home in an agitated state and might become violent if approached. TPD said officers began searching known locations he would visit.
At 7:35 p.m., TPD said officers were called to Cascades Park for a welfare check on an individual reported to be in distress. Moments later, 911 dispatch began getting calls reporting that people had been stabbed in the park.
The release states officers who were already in the area responded and found two adult females with injuries. They were taken to a local hospital and expected to be okay.
TPD says the suspect ran towards a fenced retaining wall, climbed over it, and jumped into a pond inside the park. They say the Leon County Sheriff’s Office Dive Team later recovered the individual, identified as McCaine, who was pronounced deceased. The release states that preliminary findings indicate McCaine was the same person earlier reported to be in distress and suspected of stabbing the women.
TPD will maintain an increased law enforcement presence at Cascades Park to provide reassurance for parkgoers.
The release states that while the motive for the attack remains under investigation, preliminary information indicates the suspect was experiencing a severe mental health episode at the time of the incident.
The investigation remains open and active. If you have any information regarding this incident, you're asked to call 850-891-4200. You can also remain anonymous by calling Crime Solvers at 850-574-TIPS.
11:48 a.m.:
Tallahassee Downtown released a statement regarding the stabbing at Cascades Park. They said in part,
" While the full details are still emerging, we want to emphasize that Downtown Tallahassee, our parks, and our public spaces remain safe and welcoming places where families, friends, and neighbors can come together as a community."
READ FULL POST BELOW:
1:12 a.m.
The suspect has been located deceased and positively identified.
(9/10/25)
9:48 p.m.
The Tallahassee Police Department has released more information regarding the stabbing at Cascades Park.
They say two adult females were stabbed around 7:40 p.m. Both were taken to a local hospital and are in stable condition.
TPD says the suspect remains at large, and they're asking the public to avoid the area and report anything suspicious.
They say this is an open and active investigation.
If you know anything regarding this incident, you're asked to call 850-891-4200. You can also remain anonymous by calling Crime Stoppers at 850-574-TIPS.
Original:
The Tallahassee Police Department is investigating a stabbing at Cascades Park. They say two people were injured Wednesday night and are in stable condition.
TPD says the suspect was last seen in the lake, and they're actively searching.
WTXL does have a crew on scene working to gather more information.
This is a developing story.
SEE PHOTOS OF SCENE BELOW:
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