Hempfield Township, PA – A Mount Pleasant man has been charged after Pennsylvania State Police say he stabbed another man during a confrontation in a wooded area near the Five Star Trail in Hempfield Township.
Chase Horton, 23, is charged with aggravated assault, simple assault, recklessly endangering another person, and harassment following the Sunday morning incident.
Dispute between men living in tents turned violent
According to the Pennsylvania State Police, troopers responded just after 9 a.m. Sunday to the Five Star Trail off Clark Street after receiving a report of a fight between two men.
When officers arrived, they found the victim suffering from a stab wound beneath his left arm. Investigators determined the two men had been living in separate tents in a wooded area off the trail and had an ongoing dispute.
Police said the victim confronted Horton because he believed someone had disturbed his tent. After the confrontation ended and the victim walked away, investigators allege Horton approached him from behind, placed him in a headlock, and stabbed him under the left armpit.
Knife recovered during investigation
According to investigators, the victim told police Horton dropped the knife after the attack. The victim then threw the weapon into the woods, where troopers later recovered it as evidence.
The victim was transported to Forbes Hospital for treatment of his injuries. Authorities did not release an update on his condition.
Horton was arrested and charged with aggravated assault, simple assault, recklessly endangering another person, and harassment. Court records were not immediately available to indicate whether he has obtained legal representation.
The incident highlights the risks officers can encounter when responding to disputes in isolated areas, where ongoing personal conflicts can quickly escalate into serious violence. The investigation remains under the jurisdiction of the Pennsylvania State Police.
