TUCSON, Ariz. (TCN) — A 32-year-old Alabama man passed away almost two weeks after he was violently attacked by a stranger with a hatchet while he and his wife waited at a bus stop.
On April 5 at approximately 10 a.m., Tucson Police Department officers responded to an assault call on East Broadway Boulevard and South 6th Avenue, where they found Jacob Couch with sharp-force injuries. Witnesses and bystanders reportedly rendered aid before police and fire showed up. Paramedics transported Couch to Banner University Medical Center with life-threatening injuries.
Officers searched for the suspect, Daniel Michael, in the area, but did not locate him.
Investigators learned Michael allegedly approached Couch and his wife at the bus stop and “initiated a confrontation with the couple.” During the confrontation, Michael reportedly pulled out a hatchet and struck Couch in the neck. Michael left the scene and boarded a streetcar.
Michael was arrested April 8 on charges of aggravated assault with a deadly weapon and aggravated assault with serious injury.
KOLD-TV reports Couch died Thursday, April 17, just before 9 p.m. when his heart gave out. Couch’s sister-in-law told the news station, “The injury cut the artery in the back of his neck in half. It went so deep that it hit his skull.”
Tucson Police said they have amended the charges against Michael to first-degree murder.
Couch and his wife were heading back to their home state of Alabama after spending several months in California, where they went to start over when their son was stillborn in May 2024, according to KOLD.
According to Arizona Republic, detectives reportedly located a hatchet and clothing at Michael’s apartment that matched witnesses’ descriptions. Michael allegedly initially claimed he didn’t attack Couch, then later said he was drunk and didn’t remember what happened.
Michael reportedly said he thought Couch was using drugs, and at one point, he reached into his pocket. When he did that, Michael took out a hatchet from his jacket and attacked Couch.
Michael is in custody at the Pima County Jail with bond set at $1 million.
- Homicide Investigation – Tucson Police Department
- Charges upgraded for suspect in Tucson hatchet attack after victim dies – KOLD
- ‘Life is so precious’: Hatchet attack at Tucson bus stop leaves husband on life support – Arizona Republic
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