A Homestead woman is facing an attempted murder charge after police said she stabbed a man she met through social media when he called her a derogatory term for people with mental disabilities.
According to Homestead police, the man told officers he met 22-year-old Zaryanna Renee Marshall online two days before the incident. An arrest report states Marshall invited him to her home in the 400 block of Southeast 35th Avenue, where the two spent the night together.
The man told investigators that an argument broke out between them, and around 9 p.m. Sunday, he began to gather his belongings to leave. As he was packing, Marshall allegedly started going through his pockets in search of “rolling paper used to smoke marijuana,” the report states.
The man admitted to police that during the confrontation, he insulted her, calling her “retarded.” According to the arrest affidavit, Marshall responded, “You wanna see retarded?” She then pulled out a knife and stabbed the man once in the back of the neck, reports WPLG.
The victim was taken to Jackson South Medical Center for treatment. Police said his injury was not life-threatening. Marshall, however, told officers she acted in self-defense, claiming the man had punched her in the face. Investigators noted in their report that she “had no signs of injury and would not allow officers to photograph her.”
Authorities arrested Marshall shortly after the incident. She was booked into the Turner Guilford Knight Correctional Center, where she is being held without bond as of Monday morning.
The case highlights how quickly disputes can escalate, particularly when fueled by insults and the presence of weapons. Police said the investigation is ongoing, and prosecutors will determine whether additional charges could be filed.
Neighbors in the area described the incident as shocking but not entirely surprising, as disputes in the neighborhood have occasionally drawn law enforcement attention. One resident told local media that the stabbing underscores the dangers of meeting strangers through online platforms without knowing their backgrounds.
Court records show Marshall has no prior arrests in Miami-Dade County. Her initial court appearance is expected later this week. The victim’s identity has not been released by police. Authorities have not provided updates on his condition since his release from the hospital.
As investigators continue to examine the conflicting accounts, Marshall’s defense and prosecutors are likely to focus on whether her self-defense claim holds up against the physical evidence.