A disturbing incident in Davie has left the Broward County community shaken after a landlord allegedly carried out a violent threat against his tenant just hours after explicitly warning police officers about his intentions. The case highlights serious concerns about tenant safety and the protection of vulnerable individuals in South Florida rental situations.
Landlord Warned Police Before Attack
According to court documents released following the arrest, the Davie landlord attack occurred on July 23, 2026, after a confrontation between 58-year-old Lennie Joseph Dufrene Jr. and his tenant escalated to dangerous levels. The Davie Police Department responded to an initial call from Dufrene, who reported that his tenant was allegedly causing property damage.
During that first police response, officers met with both parties, and the tenant was subsequently transported to a mental health facility under Florida’s Baker Act. However, the situation took a dark turn when Dufrene reportedly made explicit threats to the responding officers about what he planned to do once the tenant returned home.
“Dufrene then said, ‘Okay, then I’ll just beat the s— out of him.’ Officers responded by telling Dufrene he would go to jail if he did that,” according to the official warrant documentation.
Brutal Assault Followed Hospital Release
The tenant, who had been receiving mental health treatment, was released from the hospital around 2:30 p.m. that same day. Upon returning to the rental property in Davie, he discovered that Dufrene had changed the access code to the lock, effectively preventing him from entering his own residence. What followed was a vicious assault that left the victim with severe injuries.
Court records detail the Davie landlord attack in disturbing terms. Dufrene allegedly emerged from the residence and began punching the victim repeatedly in the face until he lost consciousness. The assault continued even after the victim fell, with Dufrene allegedly striking him in the back of the head and choking him until he lost consciousness a second time.
Victim Found Wandering With Severe Injuries
The following day, Davie police officers were dispatched to a Wawa convenience store located at 2500 Davie Road. The call came in regarding an individual who had been on the property for an extended period and appeared to have suffered a severe beating. Officers immediately recognized the man from the previous day’s incident and connected the injuries to Dufrene’s explicit threats.
Medical examination revealed the extent of the victim’s injuries from the Davie landlord attack:
- Left side orbital floor fracture
- Multiple nasal fractures
- Loss of consciousness on multiple occasions
- Visible facial trauma consistent with repeated blows
The victim reportedly told authorities that he believed Dufrene was attempting to kill him during the assault, a fear that seems justified given the severity of his injuries and the landlord’s earlier statements to police about wanting to end the tenant’s life.
Airport Arrest and Criminal Charges
An arrest warrant was issued for Dufrene following the investigation into the Davie landlord attack. Broward Sheriff’s Office deputies apprehended the suspect on July 28, 2026, at Fort Lauderdale-Hollywood International Airport. A Broward County judge reviewed the evidence and found probable cause to charge Dufrene with felony battery.
Bond was set at $15,000 for the accused landlord. According to Broward jail records, Dufrene was no longer in custody as of the morning of July 30, 2026, suggesting he posted bail and was released pending trial.
Community Safety Concerns in Broward County
This troubling case raises important questions about tenant protections in South Florida, particularly for individuals dealing with mental health challenges. The fact that the landlord explicitly warned police officers about his violent intentions yet was still able to carry out the assault has left many in the community concerned about preventive measures and response protocols.
For residents throughout Davie and greater Broward County, this incident serves as a sobering reminder about the importance of documenting any threats and maintaining awareness of tenant rights. Local advocacy groups encourage anyone experiencing landlord harassment or threats to contact local authorities immediately and seek assistance from tenant rights organizations.
The case remains ongoing as Dufrene awaits his court proceedings on the felony battery charge stemming from this violent Davie landlord attack.
