Police say stabbing apparently self-defense

An altercation involving three people that ended with one man stabbed and seriously injured Sunday afternoon was still under investigation Monday, but it appeared the stabbing may have been in self-defense.

Shortly before 5 p.m., Hot Springs police officers responded to a disturbance in the 1100 block of Twin Points Road and upon arrival made contact with a female, identified as Toni Brickey, 49, and a male, identified as Richard Attwood, 45, at the intersection of Twin Points and Buster Reed roads, a news release said.

Police then received a report of a stabbing victim at the Buzz Buy, 3801 Central Ave. Additional officers responded to the Buzz Buy and located Robert Richardson, 44, who had sustained stab wounds to his abdomen. LifeNet responded and transported Richardson to an area hospital. Richardson’s condition is serious, but stable, the release said.

A witness stated Attwood and Brickey were riding a four-wheeler on Twin Points when a vehicle driven by Richardson struck the four-wheeler. Richardson, who is reportedly the ex-boyfriend of Brickey, got out of his vehicle after striking the four-wheeler and began attacking Attwood and Brickey with a knife, according to the witness.

At some point during a struggle between Richardson and Attwood, Richardson was stabbed several times. After being stabbed, Richardson returned to his vehicle and fled the scene, the release said.

No arrests had been made as of Monday afternoon and HSPD Cpl. Kirk Zaner noted the investigative file will be turned over to the Garland County prosecuting attorney’s office for review.

“It will be up to them if any charges are filed in the case,” Zaner said Monday.