Battlefield Ford salesman knifed while on the job

A longtime salesman at Battlefield Ford on U.S. 250 in the Pantops area suffered numerous cuts in a knife attack Wednesday morning, allegedly at the hands of a former co-worker.

The 59-year-old victim, whose name was not available, was sitting in his office at about 9:30 a.m. when the attacker entered, according to dealership General Manager Shawn Fanan, who was told what happened by employees who witnessed the attack.

The attacker “brought a bag and said, ‘Here, I’ve got something for you,” then pulled a knife and started slashing the victim, Fanan said.
He said the assailant cut the 35-year veteran salesman in the neck, head and arms before co-workers overpowered him.

Police subsequently arrested 66-year-old James T. Jackson, who had retired from the dealership years ago.
Fanan said Jackson bought a vehicle from the dealership last week, but that there was no argument between the two men.

“They knew each other. There were no hard feelings,” Fanan said.
Albemarle police, who charged Jackson with malicious wounding, said he came to the dealership to “complain about his recently purchased vehicle.”

The victim had wounds on his head and hand stitched at the University of Virginia Medical Center, according to Lt. Todd Hopwood of the Albemarle police.
Jackson had a cut to his hand treated at the hospital before being taken to the Albemarle-Charlottesville Regional Jail. He is scheduled to have a bond hearing this morning.