Friday stabbing on Digby's patio sends man to hospital

LAFAYETTE, Ind. — A 28-year-old Lafayette man was stabbed about 4:45 p.m. on Friday, according to Lafayette police, sending him to the hospital with non-life threating injuries.

Officers responded to a report of a stabbing on the Digby's patio, 133 N. Fourth St., Lafayette police Sgt. Shawn Verma said, where they found the 28-year-old suffering from a stab wound to the leg.

Verma said the victim and a 25-year-old Lafayette man had been in an altercation before the stabbing that was initiated by Chance Shoemaker, a 21-year-old Lafayette resident. Officers' investigation indicated that all three males knew each other and are acquaintances, Verma said.

During the officers' investigation into the stabbing, police had blocked off the sidewalk in front of the restaurant's patio, prohibiting entry to the establishment while over a dozen evidence markers were scattered across the patio's floor.

The 28-year-old was transported to a local hospital, where he was treated and released, Verma said.

Shoemaker was arrested on preliminary charges of felony battery with a deadly weapon, felony aggravated battery and battery resulting in bodily injury.

Jillian Ellison is a reporter for the Journal and Courier. She can be reached via email at jellison@gannett.com. Follow her on X at @ellison_writes.