SAN ANTONIO – A man who was slashed on the hand with what San Antonio police describe as a Samurai-type sword is in critical condition.
Officers responded around 7 a.m. Monday to a 911 call in the 6200 block of Via La Cantera and found the man lying outside an apartment.
Police said they believe the victim was cut quite a while before the 911 call was made.
A man who lives in the apartment told officers that he had met the injured man and his girlfriend at a nearby bar and invited them back to his home, police said.
The group drank throughout the night, and at some point early Monday morning, the two men began arguing, police said.
"The (visitor) gets mad thinking that the resident here is looking at the girlfriend, so, of course, jealousy comes into play," San Antonio police Sgt. Michael Oliva said.
Oliva said the argument escalated when the visitor tried to start a physical fight. He said the man who lives in the home fought back.
"For whatever reason, he grabs a sword and he says, 'I don't want to fight you but don't hit me. I got a sword in my hand,'" Oliva said. "The boyfriend doesn't listen. He comes at him, tries to punch him."
The resident told officers that he attempted to block the punch and ended up cutting the other man on the hand with the sword, opening up a deep wound.
The other people panicked at first and attempted to give the victim first aid, Oliva said.
"They bandaged up the cut and (the resident) escorts them all outside the apartment," he said. "But I guess (when) they went outside, it was pretty deep. The boyfriend passed out."
Police said the group waited some time before calling 911. By the time paramedics were called, the injured man was in critical condition and was taken to a hospital.
Homicide detectives arrived several hours later.
Oliva said once detectives complete their investigation, they will decide whether the man who lives in the apartment will face charges.
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