A disagreement between neighborhood acquaintances led to one man being stabbed to death Saturday, deputies say.
- Neighborhood disagreement leads to fatal stabbing
- Deputies: Brandon Burchett, 38, was attacked in his driveway
- Daniel Ponce, 29, was arrested for first degree murder
Polk County Sheriff's Office deputies arrested 29-year-old Daniel Ponce of Kissimmee, for stabbing -- and killing -- 38-year-old Brandon J. Burchett.
Detectives say at approximately 4:30 p.m. Saturday, first responders arrived at 580 Finch Court in Kissimmee.
They found Burchett inside, bleeding. Ponce had fled the scene, but contacted authorities a short while later to let them know where he, and the knife, were.
According to reports, an argument, stemming from a Jan. 27 confrontation, started in Burchett's driveway.
Detectives believe Ponce rode a bicycle to the front of Burchett's residence and began yelling expletives at the victim when he came outside.
After their disagreement turned physical, Ponce pulled out a folding pocket knife from his pocket, opened it, and, according to deputies, 'intentionally stabbed the victim in the abdomen area and arm.'
Burchett ran inside his home, yelling for someone to call 911. Ponce fled the area on his bicycle.
Deputies believe the two men had been exchanging confrontational text messages since their disagreement the day before.
Burchett was transported to Poinciana Medical Center. He was pronounced dead at approximately 5:15 p.m.
Ponce said he was in fear for his life and stabbed the victim in self-defense.
According to deputies, he was charged with first-degree murder and aggravated battery with a deadly weapon just hours after the alleged attack. He is being held without bond.
Ponce's criminal history includes battery domestic violence, possession of drug paraphernalia, and traffic offenses.