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West Palm Beach Man Charged After Knife Chase on Clematis Street

Footage of the confrontation has renewed focus on late-night safety on the downtown strip.

Overview

  • Police arrested Jeffrey Morant, 39, on a charge of aggravated assault with a deadly weapon without intent to kill, and said he is being held at the Palm Beach County Jail.
  • Bystander and city surveillance video shows a man with a pocket knife chasing Christopher Jones, who ducked behind officers as they drew their guns.
  • Police said the encounter began when Jones gave Morant a high-five, and Morant later claimed he felt weird and suspected he had been exposed to a chemical.
  • Officers responding just before 2 a.m. Saturday reported that the pursuer dropped an object when confronted and was detained at the scene.
  • The episode has stirred local worries about downtown disorder and homelessness, with residents calling for enforcement as the city points to housing 380 people in 2025.