By Pat Culverhouse

A Texas man is currently in custody after he allegedly stabbed his employer late Wednesday during a confrontation at a local motel.

Minden Chief of Police Jared McIver said 23-year-old Trent Duane Vessels of Lindale is charged with aggravated second degree battery for the alleged attack at the Best Western on Sibley Rd.

Vessels reportedly is being held at Bayou Dorcheat Correctional Center under a $50,000 bond.

Minden officers reportedly responded to the motel just after 11 p.m. where they found the victim had suffered a laceration to his neck. Vessels reportedly had fled the scene prior to the arrival of officers, but he was located and detained.

Detective Brandon Curry learned the stabbing occurred during a physical confrontation between Vessels and his employer in the breezeway on the second floor of the motel. During the investigation, a blood trail leading from the stairway to a nearby room was observed.

While collecting evidence, a nine-inch fixed-blade knife with a four and one-half-inch blade reportedly was found, covered in blood. Information from witnesses reportedly revealed Vessels had been involved in an altercation earlier in the night with another individual and allegedly retreated to his room where he armed himself with the knife.

Surveillance footage of the incident was obtained and the investigator observed the argument between Vessels and the victim. During that confrontation, Vessels reportedly was seen retrieving the fixed-blade knife from his rear pants pocket and making repeated stabbing motions to the victim’s neck area.

After receiving treatment at the scene, the victim reportedly was transported to Ochsner LSU Health in Shreveport. His condition has not been released.

This information has been provided by a law enforcement agency as public information. Persons named as suspects in a criminal investigation, or arrested and charged with a crime, have not been convicted of any criminal offense and are presumed innocent until proven guilty in a court of law.