Daytona 500 Tourist, 13, Has Throat Slashed by Registered Sex Offender

The teen was visiting from Delray Beach for the big race when the attack occurred.

Published on Feb. 19, 2026

Got story updates? Submit your updates here. ›

A 44-year-old Daytona Beach man named Jermaine Lynn Long was arrested and charged with aggravated battery after allegedly slashing the throat of a 13-year-old boy who was visiting from Delray Beach for the Daytona 500 race. The teen suffered a severe laceration and received 13 stitches, but is expected to recover. Long is a registered sex offender with a history of violent crimes.

Why it matters

This incident highlights the risks that tourists, especially minors, can face when visiting high-profile events like the Daytona 500. It also raises questions about the monitoring and supervision of registered sex offenders, especially those with a history of violence, and whether more can be done to protect the public from such individuals.

The details

According to police, Long approached the 13-year-old boy, who was on his phone, and slashed his throat with a box cutter in a "horizontal manner." Surveillance video captured the attack. The boy's parents witnessed the incident and said Long had been "lingering around" their son for some time beforehand. The teen was rushed to the hospital, where he received 13 stitches to close the severe laceration.

  • The attack occurred around 10:08 p.m. on February 17, 2026.
  • The Daytona 500 race was taking place that weekend.

The players

Jermaine Lynn Long

A 44-year-old Daytona Beach man who was arrested and charged with aggravated battery for the attack. Long is a registered sex offender with a history of violent crimes, including battery, sexual assault of a child, theft, and drug possession.

Jerod Alan Clarke

The father of the 13-year-old victim, who said his son was "lucky to be alive" after the attack.

Lori Nicole Clarke

The mother of the 13-year-old victim, who witnessed the attack and said it was "absolutely horrifying" and "terrifying."

The 13-year-old victim

A boy from Delray Beach, Florida who was visiting Daytona Beach for the Daytona 500 race when he was attacked.

Got photos? Submit your photos here. ›

What they’re saying

“We're so lucky our son's alive. The doctor said if it would've been one millimeter deeper, we would probably be having a different conversation.”

— Jerod Alan Clarke, Father of the victim (WESH)

“It was absolutely horrifying. It was terrifying. I couldn't believe it could happen so quickly and that anyone could do that.”

— Lori Nicole Clarke, Mother of the victim (WESH)

What’s next

The judge will decide on Tuesday whether to allow Jermaine Lynn Long to be released on bail.

The takeaway

This attack on a young tourist visiting a major sporting event highlights the need for increased security and monitoring of registered sex offenders, especially those with a history of violence, to protect the public from such senseless acts.