JACKSONVILLE, Fla. – The 34-year-old man with a history of mental illness who was charged with stabbing a Walmart employee in November has been ruled not competent for prosecution.
John McFarland, who police said randomly attacked 31-year-old Rogel Chan at a Southside Walmart on Nov. 13, was committed to the custody of the Department of Children and Families.
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Investigators said McFarland could be seen in surveillance video pulling the knife hidden in clothes he was carrying and stabbing Chan several times in the head and face. He was charged with aggravated battery.
Chan, who was in the store to make a purchase and was not on duty, said he realized he'd been stabbed when he saw blood coming from his face and McFarland walking away with a knife. He ran to the back of the store, where someone called 911.
McFarland told police he didn't know why he did it, but that he is schizophrenic and not taking his medication.
Records show McFarland has a history of violent offenses and confinements for mental health treatment. He has been found not guilty by reason of insanity in three incidents in which he was armed with a knife, including stabbing his brother in 2005.
The judge set a June 2, 2015, date to review McFarland's competency.