Man charged in Five Points knife attack arrested before

Jordan White's co-workers, friends raise money to help with his medical expenses

JACKSONVILLE, Fla. – A 56-year-old man is behind bars and facing charges for stabbing another man outside a popular bar in the Five Points neighborhood.

James Lee Jackson, 56, is charged with aggravated battery with a deadly weapon and is being held without bond in the Duval County jail.. 

According to the Jacksonville Sheriff's Office, Jackson confessed to stabbing 25-year-old Jordan White outside Birdies on May 20. The knife almost severed his kidney and pierced his liver.

Jackson's arrest 

The police report said a witness saw the stabbing as it was happening. He said he was talking to White when Jackson walked up and shoved White from behind. He did not initially realize at that time that White had been stabbed but thought he had only been punched in the back by Jackson. 

The witness told police he saw Jackson close the door of a white vehicle parked outside of the business before leaving the scene. 

Police were able to narrow down Jackson as a suspect when they determined the vehicle owner matched his description. Police went to his home but weren't able to find him.

Days later on May 23, police said, Jackson was being released from a hospital when he made statements implying he would harm others. He was then Baker Acted and taken to a mental health facility until he was arrested may 28 on a charge of aggravated battery in the stabbing.

Jackson's criminal history

Jackson's criminal history revealed a prior arrest on a charge of aggravated battery with a knife in 2014, in an incident involving his brother. In that report, police said Jackson stabbed his brother with a small pocket knife after an argument while they were living together at their parents' house.

A judge ruled Jackson was not mentally competent in 2015, 2016 and 2017. In January of 2018, a judge agreed to grant Jackson a conditional release. 

Five months later, investigators said Jackson stabbed White.

Support for Jordan White

Word of the arrest came Monday night as dozens gathered at Restaurant Orsay, where White worked, to support him on his road to recovery. 

Donations collected by White's co-workers during the "Working a Shift for Jordan" fundraiser will help him pay for his medical bills.

Orsay staff said they are grateful for the outpouring of support for their friend and co-worker. 

"We are so overwhelmed and overjoyed by the response of the community," said Jason Eddy, managing partner of Orsay. "We love Jacksonville and we love everyone that has reached out to be a part of it."

White also stopped by the event to thank everyone for their support.

As of 5 p.m. Tuesday, White's friends, family and strangers had raised nearly $7,900 through his GoFundMe page.


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