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Inset: Jorge Felix Larrea Diaz (Miami Dade Corrections & Rehabilitation Center). Background: The Barlington Hotel in Miami, Fla., where Jorge Felix Larrea Diaz allegedly threatened a mother and her 9-year-old son with a knife (Google Maps).
In a harrowing incident outside a Florida hotel last week, a mother and her 9-year-old son found themselves in danger when a man allegedly threatened them with a “long brown knife.” The man reportedly declared his intent to harm both the woman and her son, stating, “I am going to cut your throat and your son’s throat,” as reported by local police.
In a state of panic, the young boy ran into the lobby of the Barlington Hotel in Miami, shouting for help, “Somebody is trying to kill us!” Inside, he sought refuge with his mother’s husband, following threats made by Jorge Felix Larrea Diaz. This information comes from an arrest affidavit that Law&Crime obtained on Monday.
The unsettling encounter unfolded around 4:20 p.m. on Friday when Larrea Diaz, 38, allegedly approached the mother and son while carrying a backpack. Speaking in Spanish, he made threatening remarks, which were later translated by police and noted in the affidavit.
According to the affidavit, Larrea Diaz brandished the knife and demanded, “Where is your husband?” The situation escalated when the husband emerged from the lobby and witnessed Larrea Diaz holding the weapon. At that point, Larrea Diaz reportedly shouted his intention to kill the husband.
Faced with the threat, the husband grabbed a small bicycle in a bid to defend himself as Larrea Diaz entered the hotel lobby searching for him. This act of self-defense led Larrea Diaz to flee the scene. Authorities have identified him as a guest at the hotel, where the family was also staying.
Surveillance video shows Larrea Diaz holding an item in his hand and threatening the mom and son, according to the affidavit. A knife was never recovered, but cops did arrest Larrea Diaz and charged him with aggravated assault with a deadly weapon. He was taken into custody after the victims pointed him out to police.
“[Larrea Diaz] had changed clothing,” the affidavit says.
It’s unclear why Larrea Diaz was looking for the husband on Friday. The Barlington Hotel did not respond to Law&Crime’s request for comment on Monday.