PORT ST. LUCIE, Fla. (CBS12) — A family disagreement took a dangerous turn on Thursday, when a confrontation allegedly escalated into a stabbing in Port St. Lucie, resulting in two arrests.
The report states that at around 4:11 p.m., Port St. Lucie Police officers responded to the area of 7000 NW Selvitz Road to find that a physical altercation had erupted between family members.
The Port St. Lucie Police Department said that the incident involved a 43-year-old male victim and two suspects, 35-year-old Alaa Qasem and 39-year-old Imad Qasem.
According to preliminary investigations, tensions boiled over during a dispute, leading to a physical confrontation near a roadside swale.
Officials say in a desperate act of self-defense, the victim brandished a knife and inadvertently stabbed Alaa Qasem as he tried to escape the attack.
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His injuries were deemed non-life-threatening, and he was transported to Lawnwood Regional Medical Center for treatment.
As police delved deeper into the incident, they reported recovering a knife believed to be the weapon used, along with a damaged cellphone and a metal bar found inside the suspects’ vehicle.
Based on the evidence and witness statements, detectives said they concluded that both Alaa and Imad Qasem shared responsibility for the incident. Both have been arrested on charges of aggravated assault and criminal mischief. Imad was taken to St. Lucie County Jail, while Alaa remains in police custody, still receiving medical care.
The investigation is ongoing, and authorities have indicated that further charges may be forthcoming as they continue to analyze evidence and conduct follow-up interviews.