Teen’s Neck Slashed by Stranger in Random Boardwalk Attack During Family Trip, Cops Say

A 44-year-old man has been accused of carrying out a random attack on a teenager that left him severely injured. Sullivan Clarke, 13, was enjoying an evening on a Florida boardwalk when Jermain Lynn Long allegedly attacked him with a deadly weapon and slit his neck.

Parents of the 13-year-old said they were walking by the Slingshot ride when their son was attacked at around 10 p.m. They said they were heading back to the hotel.

After the incident, cops responded to a 911 call. When they arrived they found the victim suffering from a severe laceration to his neck. Paramedics rushed him to the hospital where he received 13 stitches.

Based on the suspect’s description shared by witnesses, officers found the man, Jermain Lynn Long, near Joe's Crab Shack. He allegedly had a box cutter and silver knife with him. Witnesses also told officers that they saw Long lingering in the vicinity before the attack.

Lori Clarke, mother of Sullivan, while narrating the incident to WESH said that her son was walking a few feet from his parents when she noticed the man alleged to be Long with a strange look in his eyes walk towards the teen.

“There were a ton of people around. Tons of people at the Slingshot. It was well-lit. We felt safe,” Lori said. Sullivan's mother initially thought it was an attempted robbery until the suspect allegedly pulled out a knife.

The father of the teen, Jerod Clarke recalling the horrific attack, said that he could see his son's neck totally "gash open". He said that Sullivan survived by a mere millimeter, "We are so lucky our son's alive."

Sullivan said he did not see his attacker's face. The 13-year-old further said that he likely survived because he looked up right at the time of the attack. According to WESH, Sullivan said, "The crazy thing is, I turned at the perfect time, because I was on the phone and I looked up at the slingshot, and that's how he got the side of my neck and not right here."

Doctors had told the family if the wound was any deeper, he could have died.

Jermain Lynn Long faced a judge on February 17. He was taken to the Volusia County Jail, where he is being held without bond. His next court appearance is slated for March 10.

Long is allegedly a registered offender with a lengthy criminal history in Volusia County. He was arrested in January 2026 for allegedly trying to hurt men with a knife and then hitting them with a large pole. The 44-year-old was released from jail just four days before the incident.