By Mark LaFlamme,Staff Writer

LEWISTON – The search continued Tuesday for a Pierce Street man accused of stabbing another man during a downtown brawl the night before.

Police in both Lewiston and Auburn were searching for the 35-year-old suspect while the victim of the knifing was recovering at Central Maine Medical Center.

At about 7 p.m. Monday, 23-year-old Michael Lagasse was stabbed in the arm and chest as he scuffled with another man on Pierce Street, police said.

Lagasse underwent surgery at CMMC but is expected to recover from his wounds.

Witnesses described to police a man who lives in an apartment near where the two men fought, police said. A knife was recovered there but the suspect remained at large throughout the night.

The hunt for the 35-year-old led to various forms of chaos and calamity. In Auburn, a police lieutenant crashed a cruiser while responding to a report that the suspect was found in that city.

In Lewiston, police were interrupted by other fights as tips about the suspect’s whereabouts came in during the hours after the stabbing.

Police said Lagasse told them he would not pursue charges against the man who had stabbed him. But the search continued regardless.

Police on Tuesday said they are still seeking the 35-year-old in the interest of public safety and because charges may still be lodged against the man. Investigators were working with the district attorney’s office as the investigation proceeded.

By Tuesday night, police said few leads had come in on the suspect’s whereabouts.

Copy the Story Link