A former federal prosecutor is invoking Florida’s controversial “Stand Your Ground” law as his defense after a stabbing incident during rush hour on the Howard Frankland Bridge in September 2023. Patrick Scruggs, 40, faces aggravated assault charges after he stabbed another driver, claiming he feared for his safety and that of other motorists during a chaotic traffic confrontation. The case unfolded when Blake Sharp, driving a Lexus, stopped in traffic and appeared unconscious. Witnesses, including Ahmad Gahan, pulled over to help, believing the driver might be intoxicated. After regaining consciousness, Sharp drove off and collided with a Honda Civic driven by Scruggs. According to court records and witness video, Scruggs then approached Sharp’s vehicle, brandished a knife, and stabbed him. Amanda Post, a bystander, described the scene as terrifying: “He looked furious, pulling on the door handle and forcefully trying to open the window. I was scared that if he noticed me filming, he might break my window and come after me.” Florida 'Stand Your Ground' law explained Scruggs’ legal team argues that his actions were justified under the “Stand Your Ground” statute, which allows individuals to use deadly force in self-defense without a duty to retreat, provided they are not engaged in unlawful activity and are in a place where they have a legal right to be. “You know, he’s driving a bridge… I worried he would continue; he had already struck two vehicles and was likely to hit another during rush hour,” Scruggs testified, citing fear for his own safety and that of others. The law, in effect in Florida since 2005, expands traditional self-defense protections beyond the home and has been the subject of heated debate. Criminal defense attorney A.J. Alvarez explained, “The legislation was passed to allow an individual who was just defending himself to avoid the whole process of going through the criminal justice system.”