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Man Who Attempted To Stab Miami Pastor Faces Judge

MIAMI - (CBSMiami.com) - A homeless Honduran man has been charged with attempted murder and aggravated battery after police say he tried to stab a Miami pastor and injured several parishioners who tried to stop him.

Douglas Betancourt, 25, appeared before a bond court judge Tuesday who ordered him held on $35,000 bond. Betancourt also has an immigration hold.

Police say the events that led to his arrest began on Monday night after 11 p.m. at Centro Evangelistico Luz Church at 1548 W. Flagler Street. Following church service, police say Betancourt approached Pastor Hector Silva, brandished a knife and stated the following in Spanish: "I don't like being humiliated," he allegedly told Silva. "Don't run away. Let's deal with this as men."

That's when Betancourt allegedly lunged towards Silva. Parishioners who were standing nearby tried to stop him and got hurt in the process. Those injured were Eleazar Lanuza, Calderon Franklin and Jorge Palermo. Lanuza received a laceration to his head, while Franklin sustained a cut to his chest.

Palermo was stabbed in the leg and had to be transported to Jackson Memorial Hospital's Ryder Trauma Center.

Police arrested Betancourt who was located a couple of blocks away. Betancourt stated he was trying to kill the pastor and others, police said.

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