Fernandina Beach Police Department
Press Release
Submitted by Mark Foxworth, Deputy Chief
April 27, 2015 5:14 p.m.
During the early morning hours of April 27, 2015, William Sherwood and Jason Powell both of Fernandina Beach became involved in a dispute inside of the Hammerhead Bar located on South Fletcher Avenue. The dispute centered on Sherwood being involved in a relationship with Powell’s ex-wife.
Bar employees asked both subjects to leave the premises and both complied. After leaving, Sherwood called Powell on his cell phone and left threatening messages. In one message, Sherwood told Powell that if he came to the Day’s Inn Hotel where he was staying, that he (Sherwood) would “take care of him.” Based on that phone call, Powell drove to the Days Inn on Sadler Road and drove towards a group of people including Sherwood. Powell’s mirror was hit or struck someone, making him believe Sherwood had punched his mirror. This angered Powell and he traveled in reverse striking Sherwood, knocking him to the ground. Powell then exited his vehicle and stabbed Sherwood in the throat and fled the scene, leaving the knife in Sherwood’s throat.
After fleeing the scene, Powell traveled to the Fernandina Beach Police Department and turned himself in. He was arrested and charged with Attempted Murder and Aggravated Battery.
Sherwood was transported to UF Health in Jacksonville where he is in critical condition.