Update at 10.30am: Wagga Police continue to seek a 46-year-old male they believe was responsible for the stabbing of a 44-year-old male in Ashmont overnight.
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Speaking at a media conference, Detective Inspector Darren Cloake said “we believe both the victim and offender were known to each other”.
“We believe that the offender in this case has stayed at the unit block on previous occasions,” he said.
“Some of his personal belongings were inside the unit, so it is not a random attack but certainly a relationship between them has been established so they are known to each other.
“An altercation took place at the unit, which resulted in this serious offence being committed.”
Inspector Cloake said police believed that the attacker was a frequent occupier and resident of places in Wagga – mostly Ashmont, Tolland and Mount Austin.
He said that police were not aware of any history of incidents between the men.
“But I do know that the person responsible for the offence is known to us and has committed violent attacks in the past,” Inspector Cloake said.
But I do know that the person responsible for the offence is known to us and has committed violent attacks in the past.
- Detective Inspector Darren Cloake, Wagga Police Station
“Certainly we keep tabs on him and his localities and his associates.”
Police investigations surrounding the circumstances of the incident are continuing.
“[It’s] hard to tell where the knife had come from, but that’s part of the investigation,” Inspector Cloake said.
Police have spoken to a number of residents within the locality of the incident.
“We do believe after this incident, the offender did go to nearby residences and try to gain entry by knocking on the door,” Inspector Cloake said.
“I believe a pot plant was smashed and window broken – again it’s early days but as the day progresses and as police speak to residents, more offences may become evident.”
He said that the incident was concerning for the community.
“We’re fortunate that a lot of the time this type of serious offence doesn’t take place,” Inspector Cloake said.
“Again, we have limited control over warring parties and relationships that do break down.
“As much as we do attempt to minimise the harm to the community, in this case we’ve been fortunate that there’s a good chance the male will recover and hopefully we can find the person pretty quickly.”
“An offence of this nature has the potential to cause serious injury or even worse.”
Inspector Cloake said the victim was in stable condition at Wagga Base Hospital.
Anyone with information is urged to contact Wagga Police Station on 6922 2599 or Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000.
Earlier: A Wagga man is set to undergo emergency surgery after being stabbed in the neck in a "serious attack" in the city's suburbs overnight.
His attacker is still on the run.
Emergency services rushed to Ashmont’s Marshall Street shortly after midnight, responding to neighbour reports of a man being stabbed in the neck.
Police and paramedics called to the unit block about 12.10am arrived to find the 44-year-old man suffering a stab wound to the neck and three to the shoulder.
The wound to his neck was such a close call, he is lucky to be alive, police said.
"It's a serious attack, he missed the spinal cord and carotid artery by millimetres," Riverina Police District's Inspector Darren Cloake said.
Police say the 44-year-old was in a Marshall Street unit when a visitor, who police say was intoxicated, was asked to leave.
It was then the visitor picked up a knife and stabbed the 44-year-old.
The victim was treated by paramedics at the scene for his wounds, to his left side, and taken to Wagga Base Hospital in a serious condition.
He remained in a stable condition and was being readied for surgery on Friday morning.
RPD officers and forensics experts were combing the scene as the sun rose, concentrating on an area near the Callaghan Street intersection.
Investigators believe a man aged in his mid-40s may be able to help with their inquiries.
He is described as standing 175cm to 180cm tall, with a thin build and of Caucasian appearance.
He has a fair complexion, brown cropped hair and blue-green eyes, with a small tattoo underneath his left eye.
Inspector Cloake said the tattoo was in the shape of a teardrop.
Anyone with information is urged to contact police by calling the Wagga station on 6922 2599 or via Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000.
MORE TO COME
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