16-04-2025
'Life is so precious': Man on life support after machete attack in Tucson
Kristen Couch and her husband, Jacob, stopped in Tucson on a cross-country bus trip back home. They had just spent time in Los Angeles, and they were eager to get back to Alabama, family members said.
While they waited for the next bus, they decided to walk around downtown and see the city, according to the family.
They only made it a block to East Broadway Boulevard and South Sixth Avenue before a man wielding a machete attacked Jacob, 32, family said.
Bystanders and police tried to help Jacob as he bled profusely until the Tucson Fire Department arrived and took him to Banner University Medical Center.
The couple didn't know the attacker, family said.
"Please say a prayer for our family. God knows we need it right now," Jacob Couch's brother Luke posted on Facebook shortly after news of the attack. "Life is so precious. Tell your family you love them every chance you get."
As of April 14, Jacob remained on life support, according to the family. They said they were told by the hospital that he was showing no signs of life.
Tucson police confirmed there was an attack on April 5 at the southeast corner of Broadway Boulevard and Sixth Avenue. They have released little else, citing the active investigation.
Three days after the attack, police arrested Daniel Michael, 25. He was charged with two counts of aggravated assault.
Investigators found a hatchet and clothing that matched what was worn during the attack while conducting a search warrant on Michael's apartment, according to court records. Michael first denied to police that he had any involvement, but then said he'd been drinking heavily and couldn't remember anything, records show.
He then said he recalled believing Jacob was using drugs. Michael told police that when Jacob reached into his pants pocket, he pulled out a hatchet from his jacket and struck Jacob in the neck.
Tucson police have not confirmed the name of the victim or Michael's involvement.
"The media obtained court documents and released a lot more details that we have not confirmed," Tucson police Officer Frank Magos said in an emailed statement to The Arizona Republic.
Michael was booked into the Pima County Jail on a $1 million bond.
The family set up a GoFundMe for travel and hospital costs, plus money for transporting Jacob home and a funeral if needed, according to Jacob's sister-in-law Erica Sims.
"Since they are so far away and were on their way home, they have no family with them," Sims said.
Sims confirmed Jacob was in critical condition in the trauma intensive care unit at Banner University Medical Center in Tucson.
"Thank you for all of your help! We don't even know how to thank each of you properly," Sims said.
Almost $40,000 was raised as of April 15.
This article originally appeared on Arizona Republic: Alabama man fighting for his life after machete attack in Tucson
