On Feb. 1, a verbal argument led to a stabbing incident near the Kelsey Trail Preserve in Highlands, NC.
An investigation by the Highlands Police Department revealed that two men got into an argument at the greenway trailhead off N. 5th Street.
A man, later identified as Victor Preda, was reportedly allowing his three dogs to run off-leash in the area. The victim, who was walking a dog of his own, asked Preda to regain control of his dogs.
Preda approached the victim and hit him in the chest. In response, the victim pushed Preda away. Preda fell to the ground, and the victim was able to walk from the area.
As he walked away, he realized he had suffered a stab wound just below his armpit, near his rib cage.
Once Highlands Police officers and Macon County EMS arrived on the scene, the victim was transported to Highlands-Cashiers Hospital and later to Mission Hospital with life-threatening injuries.
Preda suffered serious injuries from the fall; officers transported him to Angel Medical Center.
On March 19, the Macon County Sheriff’s Office, assisted by the Highlands Police Department, arrested Victor Preda for NCGS 14-32(a): Assault with a Deadly Weapon with Intent to Kill Inflicting Serious Injury, and 14-223: Resisting a Public Officer.