Police say the suspect used a homemade shank during the May 19 assault near Biscayne Boulevard.
MIAMI, Fla. — A 36-year-old woman says she thought she would die when a stranger attacked her from behind during a morning dog walk outside a downtown Miami condo tower on May 19.
Caitlin Dydzuhn said the attack outside MarinaBlue, near Biscayne Boulevard and the Kaseya Center, left her with severe facial injuries and partial blindness in one eye. Police arrested Raydean Johnson, 49, after a standoff that shut down part of Biscayne Boulevard.
Dydzuhn said she had just walked out of the 60-story MarinaBlue tower at 888 Biscayne Boulevard when she saw punches coming from the side. “I realized, ‘Oh my God, this is a person attacking me,’” Dydzuhn said. Police said Johnson pushed her down, punched her, slammed her head against the ground and stabbed her with a homemade weapon made from a tire pressure gauge and a nail.
The attack happened about 10:50 a.m. as Dydzuhn walked her dog. Witnesses said hotel workers and bystanders rushed to help after hearing screams. A good Samaritan intervened before officers took control of the scene. Dydzuhn said she remembers trying to block what she feared would be a fatal blow. “I was fighting for my life,” she said.
Police said Johnson remained near the scene after the attack and later pinned himself near a fence while officers tried to get him to surrender. Biscayne Boulevard was closed between Northeast 8th and Northeast 9th streets during the response. Officers used Tasers before taking Johnson into custody. A police spokeswoman said officers waited for a safe ending.
Johnson was held without bond Friday at the Turner Guilford Knight Correctional Center. He faced charges including attempted murder, aggravated battery with great bodily harm, criminal mischief while armed and resisting arrest. Records also showed warrant cases tied to a probation violation and prior violent charges. A motive has not been released.
Dydzuhn’s attorney, Judd Rosen, questioned security outside MarinaBlue and said Dydzuhn was nearly killed steps from her home. Rosen said building security did not stop the attack. WSVN reported that property management had not responded to questions about security measures as of Friday afternoon.
Dydzuhn said she continues to deal with pain, fear and the shock of calling her parents after emergency surgery. She said the attack changed how she sees a place that had been part of her daily routine. The case remains active as Johnson awaits further court proceedings.
Author note: Last updated May 30, 2026.