Who:
Pinellas County Sheriff’s Office
Patrol Operations Bureau
Investigative Operations Bureau
- Robbery & Homicide Unit

Mark Kimball (Victim- Injured)
DOB: 08/31/1964
Address: 1915 Fairfield Avenue South, St. Petersburg

Michael L. Drake (Arrested)
DOB: 09/08/1979
Address: 5201 77^th Street North, St. Petersburg
Charges: One count of Second Degree Attempted Murder.

What:
Pinellas deputies have arrested a St. Petersburg man for attempted murder after he seriously injured a man with a knife.

When:
The incident occurred at about 6:02 p.m. on Thursday, September 6, 2018.

The suspect was arrested at about 11:24 p.m. on Thursday, September 6, 2018.

Where:
Deputies were called to a residence located at 5241 77^th Street North, unincorporated St. Petersburg.

The incident occurred at a private residence located at 5201 77^th Street North, unincorporated St. Petersburg.

Why/How:
According to deputies, at about 6:11 p.m. on Thursday, September 6, 2018, deputies were called to a residence located at 5241 77^th Street North, St. Petersburg, after the resident found an injured man on his property and called 911.

When deputies arrived, the victim 54-year-old Mark Kimball had already been transported to a local hospital for serious injuries that included lacerations to his neck.

At the hospital, Kimball informed deputies that he met with 38-year-old Michael Drake, an acquaintance of his, at Drake’s residence for consensual sex located at 5201 77^th Street North, St. Petersburg.

Kimball said after the sexual encounter, Drake attacked him with a knife and cut his neck before leaving the residence. Deputies say Kimball placed a towel around his neck and walked down the street looking for help. 

Deputies were searching for Drake when they received a 911 call at a nearby residence for a burglary in progress located at 5252 79^th Street North, unincorporated St. Petersburg. When deputies arrived, they found Drake at the residence. The victim of the alleged burglary requested not to prosecute Drake for burglary.

Deputies interviewed Drake about Kimball’s injuries. Deputies say Drake admitted to cutting Kimball with a kitchen knife.

Deputies returned to Drake’s residence and recovered the 10” to 12” kitchen knife used in the attack.

Deputies arrested Drake and transported him to the Pinellas County Jail.

Drake was charged with one count of Attempted Murder in the Second Degree.

The investigation continues.

Michael Drake booking photo.