AUBURN – A man was attacked with a machete at Morton Buildings on Friday afternoon and police say it was a former employee who slashed him.

James Milbrath, 65, was attacked at the Minot Avenue business about 3 p.m. by a man who then ran to a nearby store.

Police said the attacker was 35-year-old Neil Donovan, an Auburn man who had once worked for Morton Buildings. Milbrath is a manager at the building supply business, police said.

He was taken to Central Maine Medical Center in Lewiston where he was listed in satisfactory condition Friday night.

The motive for the attack was not clear. Auburn police Deputy Chief Jason Moen said it has been a year since Donovan worked for the company.

Moments after Milbrath was slashed, witnesses told police a man fled the building and ran to Leighton’s Neighborhood Store on the other side of Minot Avenue.

Police who went to the store found Donovan there and quickly arrested him. He was charged with elevated aggravated assault and taken to the Androscoggin County Jail where he remained Friday night on $25,000 cash bail.

The machete was recovered, Moen said.

The attack slowed traffic as one man fell to the ground bleeding and another ran across the street.

“Cars were turning around in the driveway and others were stopped in the street,” said Tony Collins, who was working at the Doggz Inn, a day care for dogs, across the street. “There were cops all over the place and a man laying on the ground.”

Collins said one police officer came across the street to wash his hands after getting blood on them. Moments later, a pair of detectives were at the scene. They taped the area around Morton Buildings and began taking photographs and speaking with witnesses.

Police said Milbrath’s wounds were not life-threatening, but he was expected to spend at least a night at CMMC.