SALISBURY — A man was arrested on Monday after police said that he assaulted a man with a knife following an argument which began in the street.

The incident occurred at approximately 10:30 p.m. on Monday, when the victim confronted the man, identified as 30-year-old Shabazz Hakim Thornton, at the intersection of Long and East Innes streets over Thornton “inappropriately touching his girlfriend,” said Major Justin Crews, public information officer for the Salisbury Police Department.

The two then got into a physical altercation in the street, which ended when Thornton allegedly slashed at the victim with a knife, causing a laceration to his hand. Crews confirmed that the victim did not have a weapon during the altercation.

Police responded to the area shortly after the altercation and reportedly found the victim still at the intersection. Thornton was found on East Innes Street at Cook Out and arrested by officers, said Crews.

Thornton was evaluated by EMS personnel and taken to the hospital for minor injuries from the altercation, said Crews. 

After Thornton was treated for his injuries, he was arrested at approximately 4:25 a.m. on Tuesday and charged with misdemeanor assault with a deadly weapon or assault inflicting serious injury. He was not given a bond by Magistrate Benjamin Franklin due to the Pretrial Integrity Act and placed in the Rowan County Detention Center.