A homeless man stabbed an Augusta victim multiple times Thursday near the Salvation Army shelter.
Rashad Jamal Merritt, 35, was charged with aggravated assault in the attack on 55-year-old year Calvin Walker Jr., a sheriff’s report says. The homeless suspect has a history of domestic violence and other felonies that only resulted in probation.
Merritt got into an argument with the victim around lunchtime Thursday near the shelter at 1384 Greene Street. A witness told authorities that the pair had been in an argument before fighting.
“The witness states that the suspect produced a folding pocket knife and stabbed the victim 5-10 times,” the report says. “The witness states that the suspect continued to stab the victim while he was lying on the ground attempting to fend off the attack.”
The two men could be heard by workers at the Salvation Army Center of Hope, and a few employees came out and rendered aid to the victim until EMS arrived. Neither man was staying at the shelter, according to Salvation Army officials.
The victim was rushed to the hospital while Merritt was captured at the bus station on Broad Street and detained.
