Student accused of killing couple in Martin County claimed he had ‘super powers’
MARTIN COUNTY — Austin Harrouff told his parents he had "super powers" in the week leading up to when sheriff's officials said he randomly attacked and killed a local couple, according to a police report released Wednesday.
The 19-year-old Florida State University student and Alpha Delta Phi fraternity member from Jupiter is accused of stabbing John Joseph Stevens III, 59, and Michelle Karen Mishcon, 53, in the garage of their home Monday night, officials said. The neighborhood is between Interstate 95 and Tequesta and just north of Jupiter.
Less than an hour before the attack, Harrouff was having dinner with his parents at Duffy's Sports Grill in Jupiter, according to a Jupiter police report.
His mother, Mina, said Harrouff got into an argument with his father, Wade, and abruptly left the restaurant about 8:30 p.m., according to the report. It looked like he walked north on Island Way.
She said her son had been "acting strange" in the last week or so and "would say things like he had super powers, he was here to protect people and other such odd remarks," according to the report.
His mother called everyone Harrouff would have been going to see, but no one had seen him, according to the report. She called Jupiter police about 11:45 p.m., not knowing about the attack reported about 9:20 p.m.
She said her son didn't have any history of mental problems and wasn't a heavy drug user, according to the report. She also said her son hasn't ever talked about hurting himself, and he's always been courteous and respectful toward all law enforcement.
Tequesta police officers searched the area for Harrouff, but they couldn't find him. It wasn't until 2:30 a.m. Tuesday that they learned Harrouff was in the custody of Martin County sheriff's officials.
On Wednesday, Jeffrey Fisher — the neighbor across the street from the couple who tried to stop the attack, got stabbed and called 911 — was in good condition at St. Mary's Medical Center in West Palm Beach.
Student accused of killing couple in Martin County improving in Palm Beach County hospital
Harrouff was scheduled to have surgery on his hand Wednesday at St. Mary's, said sheriff's spokeswoman Trisha Kukuvka. He had deteriorated to life-threatening condition Tuesday, but he was upgraded to stable Wednesday and was coherent.
Family members haven't been allowed to visit Harrouff, who has been sedated at the hospital and in the custody of sheriff's officials, said Sheriff William Snyder. Harrouff hasn't been charged yet.
This story will be updated when more information becomes available.
Staff writer Elliott Jones contributed to this report. Laurie K. Blandford is a breaking news reporter for TC Palm, part of the USA TODAY NETWORK.