Youth is suspect in stabbing

A 15-year-old male is a suspect in a malicious stabbing that took place last Thursday evening around 10:45 p.m.

The victim was a 47-year-old male living in a home on Luther Michael Road south of Berkeley Springs. The man received multiple stab wounds to the back and facial lacerations.

According to the suspect, the incident began with a verbal argument and turned physical, said Morgan County Sheriff's Deputy Tony Link. The youth said that he felt scared and got a knife to defend himself, said Link.

Link said the victim was a friend of the family who the boy's father has asked to take temporary guardianship of the youth. The victim was able to place the call for help. The boy remained on the scene upstairs in his bedroom, said Link.

Link has been unable to talk yet with the victim, who is still recovering. The man was flown to Winchester General Hospital. The victim was in intensive care on Friday evening and was in stable but guarded condition then, said Link.

Link responded to the scene with Town of Bath Police Corporal Craig Pearrell and the Morgan County Rescue Squad. The investigation is continuing.

An emergency juvenile detention hearing was held on Friday. The youth is in custody at the Juvenile Detention Center in Romney.

Malicious stabbing charges are pending, said Link. No court dates have been set.