CHARLOTTE, N.C. — A southwest Charlotte Lowe's has reopened Wednesday after police said a man was stabbed inside the store Tuesday morning.
Witnesses told Channel 9 an aggressive panhandler stabbed the victim after a confrontation inside the Lowe's on South Tryon Street near Arrowood Road around 11:30 a.m.
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Authorities said the suspect, 24-year-old Justin Campbell started asking for money, then demanded it from the victim, who was shopping.
Moments later, police said Campbell pulled out a saw used for cutting drywall and stabbed the victim at least half a dozen times near his head and neck.
The victim was rushed to the hospital with serious injuries.
Cambell was arrested and charged with attempted first-degree murder, assault with a deadly weapon with the intent to kill or cause severe injury and communicating threats.
(Justin Devonte Campbell)
The victim’s co-worker witnessed the attack.
“He asking him, ‘You got money? Give me $1. Give me $2,’” Rene Caballero said. “My guy, he said, ‘No, I no have money, no cash.”
Caballero said they were inside the store when it happened.
“He started from the plumbing and starting pushing, pushing,” Caballero said.
In a video from inside the store, paramedics could be seen tending to the victim who appeared to be conscious, but dazed. He was bandage wrapped around his head, over his eyes and another around his chest.
The store closed for the day, leaving customers to wonder what happened.
“We were getting ready to do some shopping, and we saw the police passing by us real fast, so we knew something was going on,” a customer said. “We just didn't know what.”
The customer said she saw the suspect Monday causing a disturbance at a nearby convenience store where he tried to steal a soft drink.
Lowe's sent the following statement to Channel 9:
We're aware of an incident in our store today. We are actively assisting local law enforcement.
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