Daytona Stabbing Turns Into Marriage Proposal

A stabbing turns into a happily ever after story.

DAYTONA BEACH, Fla.- In a bizarre twist of events, one tourist’s bloody encounter turned into his marriage proposal.

Steven Worthington, 35, is a tourist from Kentucky visiting Daytona Beach. He was stabbed by a stranger in front of the Ocean Walk Shoppes during a confrontation with a stranger over comments made towards Worthington’s daughter.

According to the arrest report, Worthington was walking in front of Ocean Walk around 5 p.m. Monday with his 12-year-old daughter, other relatives and his finance. That is when stranger, John Debow, came up behind the group making comments about the girl’s bosy.

Worthington turned around and asked Debow what he had said and a confrontation broke out. The report states, Worthington shoved Debow causing him to slam into a kiosk. Debow lunged back at Worthington with a knife in stabbing motions. Police say Worthington was cut on his left arm.

Debow was holding the knife in his right hand when Worthington pushed him back again causing Debow to cut himself on his left arm, the report states.

Debow was taken to Halifax Health Medical Center where doctors told police he would need immediate surgery. According to police, before his surgery Debow told them he could not remember what had happened and that someone had stabbed him.

He was charged with aggravated battery causing bodily harm and will be taken to the Volusia County Branch Jail after he recovers from the surgery.

Tuesday Worthington told police he did not want to press charges against Debow. Worthington is a nurse and stated he knew Debow had too much to drink and did not want to ruin his life by pressing charges.

Worthington also stated that Debow had likely stabbed himself in an artery because muscle was protruding from the cut on his arm. Police said when they arrived Debow was bleeding profusely.

The violent event sparked Worthington to propose to his girlfriend Allison Crowe. He had planned to propose on the trip, but not that fast. He said it was the perfect time to pop the question since that story would always be attached to the proposal.