A West Palm Beach man has been charged with attempted first-degree murder after authorities allege he stabbed his 74-year-old grandmother eleven times following an argument on Mother's Day. Keo Lavar Nottage Jr., 29, was taken into custody on Sunday afternoon after police responded to a domestic dispute at a residence on 52nd Street.
"Someone is going to die today" — Keo Lavar Nottage Jr., Accused
According to West Palm Beach police, officers were dispatched to the home shortly after 1:20 p.m. on Sunday, May 12, after a relative called 911 to report an attack. Upon arrival, officers found Nottage engaged in a physical struggle with his teenage cousin outside the residence. Investigators later determined the incident began earlier in the day when Nottage's grandmother and his 16-year-old cousin returned from grocery shopping for a Mother's Day dinner. They reportedly asked Nottage to help carry the groceries inside, which led to a rapid escalation of an argument.
Police reports indicate that Nottage became increasingly agitated during the dispute, allegedly telling his cousin, "Someone is going to die today." He then reportedly entered the kitchen, retrieved a knife, and proceeded to attack his grandmother. Emergency responders arriving on the scene confirmed the victim suffered eleven stab wounds and was transported to St. Mary’s Medical Center in West Palm Beach, where she underwent immediate surgery. Hospital officials reported that she remained in critical condition following the procedure.
Witnesses recounted to investigators that the teenage cousin attempted to intervene during the initial assault. The cousin then fled the residence to call emergency services. Surveillance video from cameras positioned around the home captured portions of the incident, including the teenager running outside and yelling that his grandmother had been stabbed, with Nottage allegedly following him while still holding the weapon.
The confrontation did not end with the initial stabbing. After the attack, the cousin reportedly confronted Nottage again as he attempted to leave the property. A second physical struggle ensued between the two, during which the teenager sustained a hand injury while attempting to restrain Nottage until law enforcement arrived. Officers ultimately detained Nottage at the scene and transported him for medical treatment related to injuries he sustained during the confrontations.
Court records show that Nottage has been formally charged with attempted first-degree murder with a deadly weapon and aggravated assault with a deadly weapon without intent to kill. He was subsequently booked into the Palm Beach County Jail, where he is being held pending further court proceedings.
During a brief initial court appearance on Monday, Nottage appeared before a judge to confirm his identity and inquire about the charges against him. Reports indicate that deputies removed him from the courtroom after several interruptions during the proceeding. Investigators also noted a history of prior law enforcement responses involving Nottage at the same residence. Records from a 2021 incident reportedly indicate that family members had previously expressed concerns about Nottage's mental health and referenced past Baker Act evaluations connected to him.
The investigation into the incident remains active, with detectives continuing to review physical evidence, surveillance footage, and witness accounts. Additional procedural steps in the case are anticipated as prosecutors move forward with the charges.
