Weldon Police Department Deputy Chief James Avens said John Jermaine Ausby, 38, faces a count of assault with a deadly with intent to kill inflicting serious injury and possession of a firearm by a felon after he reportedly stabbed the victim numerous times in the neck and shoulder with a pocketknife.

Alcohol use was involved and there were several people partying when an argument of a nature Avens declined to disclose broke out.

Police were alerted to the disturbance when, around 12:45 a.m., Officer Derrick Moore had a vehicle stopped at the intersection of County and Country Club roads and heard several gunshots a block over on Mackie Street.

Moore responded to the 400 block area of Mackie Street and learned the victim was stabbed and taken to the hospital by a friend. The victim was later airlifted to another medical facility where surgery was performed.

Investigation by Avens and Sergeant Thomas Mason also revealed .380 shell casings at the scene, a matter which is still under investigation. Thus far there is no evidence anyone was shot, Avens said.

A search for Ausby came to an end when he was found in a wooded area around First and Walnut streets a few hours later.

Ausby has a July 15 court date.

“The arrest was made quickly due to good police work and officers working diligently,” Avens said. “I would like to thank the Halifax County Sheriff's Office and the Roanoke Rapids Police Department for their assistance when Ausby was seen hiding in the wooded area.”