A 26-year-old Venezuelan national is facing an attempted first-degree murder charge after authorities say he randomly attacked a woman and attempted to drown her along a Martin County beach last week.
Martin County Sheriff John Budensiek detailed the incident during a news conference, describing the late-night assault as “extremely alarming.”
According to investigators, the victim was walking along Tiger Shores Beach around 11 p.m. on Feb. 12 while speaking on the phone with a relative when a man approached her from behind. Authorities say the suspect struck the woman, forced her into the ocean, and attempted to drown her. The struggle lasted approximately three to five minutes.
During the attack, the woman fought back before losing consciousness. Believing she was dead, deputies say the suspect threw her phone into the water and left the area. The victim later regained consciousness and walked more than a mile to Stuart Beach, where she located a deputy and reported the assault.
After two days of canvassing the area and reviewing surveillance footage, investigators identified the suspect as Said Alexander Hernandez Gonzalez.
Port St. Lucie police encountered Hernandez Gonzalez on Feb. 15 during a call involving a suicidal individual. According to authorities, he told officers he believed he had killed a woman on a Martin County beach. Detectives later connected him to the assault.
Hernandez Gonzalez is being held at the Martin County Jail on attempted first-degree murder charges.
The Department of Homeland Security confirmed that Hernandez Gonzalez is a Venezuelan national who entered the United States in 2023 and was paroled into the country. He was later granted Temporary Protected Status. Immigration and Customs Enforcement has lodged an arrest detainer with local authorities.
Assistant Secretary for Public Affairs Tricia McLaughlin said in a statement that ICE has requested the suspect not be released and that he will face immigration proceedings following the state case.
