MACOMB COUNTY (WWJ) - A verbal disagreement at a Marathon Gas Station in Macomb County escalated into violence that left one man with over a dozen stab wounds on Thursday evening.
According to the Macomb County Sheriff's Office, deputies were called out to the gas station on northbound Gratiot after receiving reports about a stabbing just after 11 p.m. on March 23.
The suspect allegedly involved, described as a man in his 30s or 40s, took off from the scene in a silver work van before law enforcement arrived.
Deputies found the victim bleeding from his neck and torso inside the gas station. The sheriff's office said the man was provided immediate medial attention and then transported to a local hospital where he remains in stable condition.
"It was later learned that the victim had approximately 16 stab wounds to his upper body," the sheriff's office added. "A trail of blood from the building led to pump number six where the altercation took place."
Deputies gathered video footage and eye witness statements that indicated the suspect and the victim had gotten into a verbal argument inside the store before the stabbing occurred.
At one point, the suspect was overheard by others yelling “you’re about to be killed boy," before the two men moved outside and near pump six. The two then became physical, deputies stated, and the men fought with each other on the ground.
According to deputies, the victim suddenly stood up and fled back into the store clutching his side while the suspect took off in the van.
Deputies were able to match the description of the vehicle to surveillance video of a 2009 Ford Econoline van registered to Rahsaan Thedford, 44, out of Clinton Township.
The Macomb County Sheriff's office issued an alert to local agencies for the van and Thedford. It wasn't long before officers with the St. Clair Shores Police Department spotted the vehicle and pulled it over around 14 Mile Rd and Harper.
"The lone occupant and driver was Thedford," authorities continued. "A search of the vehicle did produce the knife believed to be used in the assault."
Thedford was arrested and lodged at the Macomb County Jail. The 40-year-old was arraigned on one felony charge of Assault With Intent to Murder. He was given a $50,000 surety bond and is due back in court on May 4 at 8:30 a.m.