Homeless man is stabbed

He was in a fight in woods near the new tent city.

By CASEY CORA, Times Staff Writer
Published December 25, 2007

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PINELLAS PARK - A homeless man was hospitalized Sunday after a fight in the woods escalated into a stabbing, police said.

Robert Burton, 25, and another man began fighting around 8:15 p.m. in the woods near the 13300 block of 49th Street. That location is several blocks from the Pinellas Hope temporary tent village, but officials there wouldn't confirm if Burton or the assailant were residents.

"We want the community to be safe," said organizer Sheila Lopez. "We will assist in any way."

Burton was stabbed and taken to Bayfront Medical Center, where hospital officials say he remains in critical condition.

Police described the assailant as a 38- to 45-year-old white man, about 5 feet 5 and 180 pounds.

He was last seen wearing blue jeans and a camouflage T-shirt over a white T-shirt with a Tampa Bay Devil Rays logo on the front.

Anyone with information is asked to call the Pinellas Park Police Department at (727) 541-0758.