Lewiston man attacked with a machete is charged in incident

LEWISTON — A local man has been charged with breaking into an Oak Street apartment where he was attacked with a machete Sunday afternoon.

Stephen Gurney, 34, remained at Central Maine Medical Center on Monday with injuries believed to be not life-threatening and under the watch of police, according to a police statement.

Stephen Gurney Photo submitted by Lewiston Police Department

Police said they responded late Sunday afternoon to 62 Oak St. for a report that someone had been stabbed. They found a man bleeding from the arms.

Police said their initial investigation found probable cause that Gurney illegally entered the apartment armed with a handgun and threatened the tenant.

“It appears evident at this time that the tenant at 62 Oak St. acted in self-defense. Gurney and the tenant know each other and this was not a random act,” the statement said.

Police did not release the tenant’s name.

Gurney was charged with burglary, criminal threatening, possession of a firearm by a prohibited person and violation of bail conditions. He was out on bail for a charge of aggravated assault from a stabbing outside Poirier’s Market on Walnut Street in March.