JSO: St. Johns County man tried to kill 9-year-old girl in Best Buy restroom

JACKSONVILLE, Fla. – A St. Johns County man was arrested for attempted murder after he attacked a 9-year-old girl in a Best Buy restroom late Friday afternoon, according to the Jacksonville Sheriff's Office.

Officers investigated a battery at the Best Buy store near the Avenues Mall around 5:30 p.m. after  a woman standing outside the women's bathroom said she heard crying and screaming coming from inside.  According to JSO Public Information Officer Melissa Bujeda, when the woman asked if they needed help, she just heard mumbling. The woman then asked for Best Buy employees to help.

Bujeda said an employee looked under the handicapped stall and saw a man holding the girl's head inside the toilet.

Police said the man dropped the girl and she was able to crawl under the stalls before being helped out by an employee. Employees held the man until officers arrived.

Bujeda said the girl told an employee she did not know the man and that he kicked and punched her before putting a plastic bag over her head and putting in inside the toilet.

Early Saturday morning, police identified the suspect as James Patrick Tadros, 29, of St. Johns. Tadros was arrested and is facing charges of attempted murder, false imprisonment and criminal mischief.

Tadros is being held without bond in the Duval County jail. He is scheduled to make his first appearance before a judge at 1 p.m. Saturday.

At last check, the girl was in stable condition at the hospital but is receiving treatment for her injuries. Her identity will not be released.

Stay with News4Jax and Channel 4 for updates on this developing story.


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Scott is a multi-Emmy Award Winning Anchor and Reporter, who also hosts the “Going Ringside With The Local Station” Podcast. Scott has been a journalist for 25 years, covering stories including six presidential elections, multiple space shuttle launches and dozens of high-profile murder trials.