The man accused of a violent attack in Davenport that left his father injured and an aunt dead has been captured.

  • Pedro Vega Jr. has been caught in Osceola County
  • Authorities say Vega broke into estranged wife's home before injuring his father, killing his aunt
  • Vega left the scene in 1999 white Dodge pick up truck (FL tag Y03-ZNE)

Polk County Sheriff Grady Judd said an armed Pedro Vega Jr. went on a stabbing rampage and attacked multiple family members. He was captured later Wednesday morning by the side of State Road 429 in Osceola County.

Deputies responded to 1620 Davenport Blvd. in unincorporated Davenport just after midnight to reports that a 36-year-old man had broken into the home of his estranged wife. 

"Now we deal with people who are bad actors. Who pretend to be bad. And then there are really bad people," Judd said. "This is a really bad person."

Deputies say Vega had broken into the home of his estranged wife, 46-year-old Amanda Stokes.  

Also inside the residence with Amanda Stokes was Jordan Stokes and Caine Espinoza. Espinoza fired several shots at Vega and believes he hit him, deputies stated, who added that soon afterwards Vega fled.

As deputies arrived they learned Vega had family next door at 1614 Davenport Blvd. Deputies followed a blood trail and found an open window and unsecured front door.

While clearing the residence, deputies found 70-year-old Pedro Vega Sr. with his hands and feet were bound with tape, deputies stated. Authorities continue that the elder Vega, believed to be the suspect's father, had tape around his facial area as well. He had sustained multiple stabs wounds.  

Vega Sr. was transported to an area hospital where he is currently in stable condition and he is expected to survive his injuries.  

Prior to leaving for the hospital he said the attacker was his son, Vega Jr., authorities stated.

Deputies located 59-year-old Rosa Iris Vega, Vega Jr.'s aunt, inside the residence deceased, likely the result of stab wounds, authorities stated, adding that Vega Jr. is the suspect in her death.

"The aunt who he cut and stabbed to death was supposedly the aunt who liked him," Judd said. "Gave him rides, looked out for him really whe the other family turned their back on him."

A nearby resident we spoke to, Elva Carpio, said Vega Jr. did not show outward signs of being capable of such violence; at least, not until recently.

"No, very respectful," Carpio said when asked about Vega Jr.'s behavior towards her. "That was before he stabbed her, in May, I think it was."

Vega Jr. previously had an outstanding warrant for violation of probation, burglary with battery and aggravated battery. The Sheriff's Office announced late Wednesday it will charge him with first-degree murder, four counts of attempted first-degree murder, false imprisonment, armed burglary and possession of a firearm by a convicted felon.