Exclusive: Stabbing Victims, Suspect's Stepfather Speak Out

Burlington, NC -- Burlington Police said a man stabbed three people, then led officers on a chase.

Jonathan Chandler Beam, 19, of Pollard Avenue in Burlington, was arrested around 6 a.m.

Officers first responded to the Westwood Mobile Home Park at 1717 Durham Street, Lot 162 about 12:30 a.m.

What happened before officers arrived?

Cpt. Chris Verdeck said officers are still investigating what led up to the incident.

Jacob Price, 16, is recovering from stab wounds at his home.

"The only thing I really remember is being hit, it hit me and it was just so much blood so quick," he said.

"We were just sitting at my aunt's house. Just sitting there watching TV, listening to the radio, just hanging out. Hanging out somewhere where we won't get in trouble," he said.

He said the trouble started when Beam locked himself in a room after being asked to leave.

Dustin Deese, 17, is also recovering. He said Beam had a child in the room with him. So, Deese said he knocked the door down and started hitting Beam.

That's when Beam allegedly started stabbing Deese, Price and Randy Williams, Jr.

"I would say it was self defense. Three people jump on you, you have to do what you have to do. I think he done the right thing by what he done," said Beam's stepfather, Charles Pennington.

"All he remembers was the guys jumping on him. He didn't even really realize he had cut three people," Pennington said.

"I'm just lucky that none of us got it in the throat or the heart," Price said.

Officers said they observed Beam leaving in a white GMC Jimmy and tried to stop him.

What happened during the chase?

Officers said he did not stop and led them on a pursuit out of the city and into the county. The Alamance County Sheriff's Office then took over the chase.

"He was hyped and just freaked out. He's never done nothing like that. He's young and he was scared," Pennington said.

Beam was involved in a collision near the intersection of Durham Street Extension and Routh Road. He fled on foot, according to officers.

"He shouldn't have run like the way he done. I mean he could have gotten killed. He's a very lucky boy today," Pennington said.

Shortly after that crash, a sheriff's deputy who was following him crashed, Verdeck said.

Major Shelton Brown, with the Alamance County Sheriff's Office, said Deputy Josh Jones lost control of the vehicle during the chase. He was treated and released from Alamance Regional Medical Center. Brown said Jones complained of leg and back pain.

Randy Jones, spokesperson for the Sheriff's Office, said the care did not have significant damage and deputies will likely still be able to drive it.

Beam's stepfather said he received a call about the crash and picked his stepson up. He said he took him back to the mobile home where the alleged stabbings occured to get cleaned up.

"You really don't want nobody to go to jail right when something like that happens. You know you're going to go to jail, but you kind of want to be around somebody that you love," he said.

Police found Beal at the mobile home and arrested him.

What is Beam's status?

Beam was treated at Alamance Regional Medical Center for injuries he suffered in the car crash, Verdeck said.

He is currently being held in the Alamance County Jail with a $77,500 bond.

Pennington said he does not expect Beam to get out soon.

Beam faces three counts of assault with a deadly weapon inflicting serious injury with intent to kill, felony speeding to elude, speeding, failure to stop for blue light and siren, careless and reckless driving, fictitious registration and no insurance.

To view Beam's record of previous convictions, which includes assault on a female, click here.

Follow Digtriad On
Join Us On