FINANCIAL DISTRICT — A 7-Eleven worker cut a customer with a knife — a shopper who hit him with a metal rod — in a brawl that started inside the store and continued onto the sidewalk, police said.
The fight led to both men being arrested.
The scuffle between the men, who did not know each other according to authorities, broke out about 4:30 a.m. Jan. 2 inside the 111 Fulton St. convenience store.
It was not clear who started the melee but, according to the men's criminal complaints, during the fight store employee Noel Powell, 31, slashed customer Martin Young's face with a knife, leaving a two-inch gash, and stabbed him twice in the stomach.
Powell also punched Young numerous times, then kicked and stomped on his head after Young fell to the ground, prosecutors said.
Prosecutors said Young, 42, hit Powell multiple times with a four-foot long metal rod, which he had entered the store carrying, and repeatedly punched him when the pair were outside the store.
Powell was charged with two counts of second degree assault as well as criminal possession of a weapon and attempted assault charges. He also had a temporary restraining order placed against him in relation to Young.
He was released without bail and is due back in court March 2.
Powell's court-appointed attorney declined to comment.
Young was charged with attempted assault and criminal possession of a weapon. He was also released without bail and is set to return to court on March 8.
Young's court-appointed attorneys did not immediately return request for comment.
7-Eleven did not immediately return a request for comment.
