An altercation between two homeless men early Sunday morning on the Manteo waterfront escalated into a stabbing and a later arrest of one of the men.

Police received a call from a 7-Eleven employee that a man was in the store, bleeding and in need of help. Manteo Police Chief Vance Haskett said when his officer arrived, he determined the man had severe cuts on his hand and was the victim of a stabbing.

Police say the victim and another homeless man, 33-year-old Joseph M. Blaydon, became embroiled in an argument sometime before 1:26 a.m. at the gazebo located at the Manteo docks. Police allege Blaydon pulled a multi-tool and cut the victim on the hand.

After the incident, the victim made his way to the 7-Eleven a little over a mile from where the stabbing occurred. The victim refused treatment even though emergency medics advised him the cuts would require stitches.

Police arrested Blaydon a short time later and charged him in connection with the stabbing, the chief said. Blaydon faces an assault with a deadly weapon inflicting serious injury charge.

Haskett said both men were known by police as being homeless and sheltering around town.