Daytona Beach Shores Public Safety officers arrested a woman Saturday in connection with an armed robbery attempt that lead to a fatal stabbing.

  • Amy Steffani, 31, charged with armed robbery, 2nd degree murder
  • Accomplice to Steffani stabbed, killed by intended victim
  • Steffani had prior open warrant

Officials said Amy Stefani, 31, arranged to meet Alfonso Echevarria in his sixth floor hotel room at the Lexington Inn and Suites, 2323 South Atlantic Avenue. Steffani connected with Echevarria through Backpage.com.

Once inside the room, officers said Stefani brandished a knife and robbed Echevarria. Echevarria then disarmed Steffani, who fled the room.

At that point, an accomplice of Stefani's entered the room and attacked Echevarria. Echevarria stabbed the attacker with Stefani's knife in self defense.

The attacker fled the room and collapsed before reaching a nearby elevator. Daytona Beach Public Safety officers later found the attacker where he collapsed, bleeding from the single wound to the chest. He died at the scene.

Stefani was taken into custody at the scene. She's been charged with armed robbery and felony 2nd degree murder. In addition, she had an open warrant in reference to failure to appear for prostitution.