Hoquiam police say a dispute over a $10 debt resulted in a stabbing Thursday night, sending one man to the hospital and another to jail.
Police were called to a home in the 2400 block of Cherry Street just after 9 p.m., where they arrested a 28-year Hoquiam man on suspicion of second degree assault.
A 33-year-old Hoquiam man was taken to Grays Harbor Community Hospital by his wife for treatment of stab wounds. He was treated and released, according to police.
Police believe the stabbing victim was involved in a front yard fight with his 25-year-old neighbor after the victim demanded repayment.
Police say the 25-year-old said he was knocked to the ground during the fight, prompting his 28-year old brother to come outside to his defense.
The victim allegedly turned his attention to the 28-year old, who told police he was punched in the face several times and retrieved and opened a locking folding blade knife from his pants pocket.
The 28-year-old told police he held the knife up in front of his face at which point the 33-year old victim "punched" the knife, causing a puncture wound to the victim's hand.
But an officer interviewing the victim at the hospital discovered he had suffered multiple slash and stab wounds to his back, side, left bicep and a through-and-through stab to the right hand. The victim indicated the stab wound was in the palm toward the back of the hand and was as a result of using his hand to block an attack to the victim's head.
The stabbing victim said the knife was still completely embedded in his hand when he returned home and removed it.
Officers collected evidence at the scene, including the knife. The victim told police he did not realize he had been cut or stabbed until he blocked what he thought was a punch only to find the suspect's knife embedded in his hand.
Copyright 2013 - The Daily World, Aberdeen, Wash.
