Gazette Staff

STEVENS POINT — An altercation from a man cutting in line to use the restroom has been determined to have been the cause of a late night stabbing in downtown Stevens Point.

Police will charge 28-year-old Joseph A. Stalnaker, of Stevens Point, with attempted homicide after stabbing a man at Polito’s in the early hours of Sunday morning, at approximately 2:39 a.m. He was later apprehended in Waupaca County. A 24-year-old male sustained a life-threatening injury to the neck as result of the attack. The victim is currently in stable condition after being transported to a medical facility.

Later that morning, at approximately 3:35 a.m., officers were sent to St. Michaels Hospital concerning a second stabbing incident involving a 33-year-old man, identified as Kyle Holdeman, who checked in with non-life threatening injuries to his arm.

After speaking with the second victim, investigators concluded that both stabbings occurred during the same incident — not at a later time or outside of the establishment as originally stated by Holdeman. Police believe Holdeman provided false information during the initial investigation, to include the location and circumstances, in regards to the reported second stabbing incident.

According to law enforcement, an altercation began inside Polito’s, 960 Main St., after the suspect, Joseph Stalnaker cut in line to use the men’s restroom. Holdeman allegedly forced entry into the restroom and confronted Stalnaker. As a result, a physical altercation took place.

A man now identified as 24-year-old Kurtis Johnson attempted to separate the two, and received a large laceration in the neck with an edged weapon. Following the altercation, Holdeman noticed that he had been stabbed in the arm.

Holdeman felt responsible for Johnson, who was later determined to be his roommate, and provided false information. Investigators anticipate submitting charges for obstruction of justice and disorderly conduct on Holdeman.

This investigation is ongoing.