Updated: FHP arrests Graceville man accused of machete attack

PANAMA CITY — Authorities have arrested a Graceville man accused of attacking his father with a machete Saturday.

The Jackson County Sheriff’s Office responded to a home in the 4000 block of U.S. 77, where the suspect, 36-year-old Wendel Gene Seaman, had fled the scene in his father’s 1989 Chevrolet truck. The suspect’s father, Lloyd Seaman, had a laceration on the back of his neck, JCSO reported. His condition was unclear.

Investigators determined the father had returned home and was looking inside his refrigerator when his son struck him from behind with the machete. Wendel Seaman then allegedly bound his father’s hands with duct tape, but his father escaped and fled the home. The attack continued outside, and Wendel Seaman still had the machete when his uncle intervened and stopped the incident. At some point during the incident, according to JCSO, Wendel Seaman threatened to kill his father.

The suspect took a .223-caliber rifle from his father’s gun cabinet before fleeing in the burgundy and silver-colored truck, according to JCSO. The Florida Highway Patrol arrested Wendel Seaman on Sunday near Monticello in Jefferson County, and the stolen rifle and truck were recovered. Authorities believed he was possibly traveling to the Tampa area.

Wendel Seaman is being held in Jefferson County Jail, and will transported back to Jackson County to face charges of attempted felony murder, grand theft motor vehicle and grand theft firearm.