J.D. Gallop

FLORIDA TODAY

A West Melbourne man police suspect of stabbing his longtime girlfriend with a screwdriver earlier today turned himself in to detectives.

Jean K. Lauriston, 32, was charged with attempted murder and aggravated assault after Melbourne police were called about 6 a.m. to the backyard of a home in the 800 drive of Wisteria Drive to investigate reports of a disturbance. Melbourne police and paramedics arrived within moments to find the wounded victim.

“There were more than five stab wounds but we’re not sure of the number. Our detectives are waiting to recover the screwdriver as soon as we get the search warrant,” said Sgt. Trevor Schaffer of the Melbourne Police Department.

Police said Lauriston shared a tent with the woman, his girlfriend of nine years. Police Lauriston and the woman first argued, then the altercation escalated. Police say he ran from the backyard just before police arrived.

The woman was transported to Holmes Regional Medical Center for further treatment.

“They were living in a tent behind this person’s home. We have had some interaction with (Lauriston) before,” Schaffer said, adding that detectives were also trying to determine what the couple was arguing over.

Lauriston called a friend who persuaded him to turn himself over to authorities. He met with police about 8 a.m. at NASA Boulevard and Babcock Street and was arrested. An investigation is ongoing.

Contact Gallop at 321-242-3642, jdgallop@floridatoday.com and Twitter@JDGallop