Massachusetts

Report Details Disturbing Events Leading Up to Fatal Appalachian Trail Attack

Cape Cod resident James Jordan reportedly had several run-ins with hikers before the deadly stabbing

Shocking new details reveal the terrifying moment a group of hikers encountered the Cape Cod man accused of fatally stabbing one person and injuring another on the Appalachian Trail in Virginia.

The Boston Globe reports 30-year-old James Jordan of West Yarmouth allegedly approached his victims as he was playing guitar and singing. He later reportedly threatened to pour gasoline on them and burn them.

While the group of four hikers were packing their things to leave out of fear for their safety, Jordan allegedly approached them with a knife, according to the Globe. Two people were reportedly chased away while two others stayed at the campsite. That’s when Jordan reportedly argued with one hiker before he allegedly stabbed him to death.

The Globe reports Jordan chased the other hiker until she surrendered. Then he allegedly stabbed her. The surviving victim reportedly played dead and then hiked six miles with the help of a couple who called authorities.

Jordan was arrested May 11. He appeared in court Monday in Abingdon, Virginia, where a judge ordered him to be sent to a facility for a psychiatric examination.

The suspect reportedly has a history of arrests and confrontations. The Globe reports several hikers previously reported to authorities of their run-ins with Jordan. He was arrested last month after reports that he had chased hikers with a shovel. On another occasion, hikers said he blocked a road and waved a machete at them.

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