A Sumter County man has been jailed after authorities say he threatened to kill his parents "ISIS style."
- Jayson Scott Kearney is charged with aggravated battery, assault
- Deputies say he threatened to kill parents 'ISIS style'
- Parents said they experienced fear 'beyond terror'
Jayson Scott Kearney, 49, of The Villages is charged with aggravated battery, assault and criminal mischief.
Sheriff's Office investigators said that on Friday, Kearney stabbed his 70-year-old mother three times on her arm and threatened her and his 75-year-old father "smiley faces," which meant slitting their throats from ear to ear.
The parents declined to be identified but said their son used to be a NASA engineer but now has mental issues and is on medication.
The mother told deputies that Kearney waved a pocket knife around, and when she tried to calm him, he stabbed her. She refused treatment.
His parents described their fear as "beyond terror." The mother told deputies that this was the worst she had ever witnessed from Kearney.
A neighbor said he saw law enforcement down the street and were surprised to hear what happened.
"You hear about this stuff all the time, but not here," Jack Cherry said. "There's more and more young people moving back here with their parents all the time, having a tough time dealing with whatever they're at."
Authorities say he also used the knife to cut walls, the parents' television and some plants. Deputies found the knife in the yard.