Yet another late night argument on July 4th escalated into violence Sunday evening, leaving a Clinton man injured and another behind bars.

Carlos Cortez, 36, of Camp Four Road, Clinton, was charged Monday afternoon with assault with a deadly weapon with intent to kill inflicting serious injury. He was taken to the Sampson County Magistrate’s Office and placed under a $150,000 secured bond.

According to reports, Cortez and acquaintance Victor Flores were in a bath house at a labor camp, owned by Doug Wilson’s Produce and located at Camp Four Lane, off of Governor Moore Road, when an argument broke out between the two. The argument, which began around 8:40 p.m., led to an altercation, which, reports indicate, ended when Cortez allegedly stabbed Flores four times in the back and once in the arm.

After stabbing Flores, the suspect reportedly changed clothes and fled the scene on foot.

Sheriff’s investigators and a K-9 unit was called in to help locate the suspect, but he could not be found Sunday night.

Flores was taken to Sampson Regional Medical Center and then airlifted to UNC Hospitals in Chapel Hill.

A spokeswoman for UNC Hospitals said Flores was released Monday.

Cortez was picked up late Monday afternoon and charged.

According to the North Carolina Department of Corrections, Cortez has no previous convictions.

To reach Doug Clark call 910-592-8137 ext. 123 or send e-mail to sisports@heartlandpublications.com.