Fort Smith RCMP have charged two men following a reported stabbing incident in the town over the weekend.
According to a Wednesday release from police, it happened just before 9 p.m. on July 14. Police were told of someone being stabbed and seriously injured on a trail within the community. The victim in the case was medevaced for further treatment and is now in stable condition.
An investigation into what happened quickly uncovered two suspects and they were both arrested without incident on Monday. Robert McDonald, 42, and Joshua Benwell, 32, have both been charged with aggravated assault and assault with a weapon. At the time of his arrest, Benwell was subject to release conditions stemming from pending robbery, firearms and other charges. He was also under a probation order relating to recent convictions for drug possession, resisting arrest and breach of court-ordered conditions.
Because of his prior misgivings, Benwell is facing a charge of failure to comply with a probation order and three additional counts of failure to comply with a release order.
Both accused appeared before a Justice of the Peace and were remanded into custody until their next court appearance. Police stated that the investigation is ongoing.
