Early Sunday morning a Gulfport woman allegedly stabbed a Pearl River County woman in front of her Shorty Burgess Road home.
Pearl River County Sheriff’s Department Chief Deputy Shane Tucker said deputies were dispatched to the 100 block of Shorty Burgess Road in reference to the alleged assault at 2:34 a.m. The deputy later spoke to the victim, who was being treated at Highland Community Hospital for the stab wound. Tucker said the investigation showed that during the night the occupants of the home noticed a familiar vehicle parked outside their home, occupied by 23-year-old Cheyanne Sue Smith of 26 Pass Road, Gulfport. The victim approached the vehicle to ask why Smith was sitting in her vehicle outside their home, at that time Smith allegedly stepped out of her vehicle and stabbed the victim in the abdomen when she got close, Tucker said.
After the assault, Smith allegedly got into her vehicle and fled the scene. Tucker said witness reports described a kitchen knife in Smith’s hand at the time of the assault.
Deputies were able to make contact with Smith by phone, who said she would turn herself in on charges of aggravated assault, but at press time Smith has not done so, Tucker said.
Investigation into a motive for the assault is so far inconclusive, but possible factors include Smith visiting to see a man who sometimes stays at the Shorty Burgess home and is also her significant other, who possibly owes her $40, Tucker said. The suspect alleges the attack ensued because the victim and the victim’s boyfriend were throwing rocks at her car and were trying to attack her, causing her to fear for her life. Tucker said the Sheriff’s Department has no evidence as to a motive at this time.
The victim was listed as being in stable condition 16 hours after the assault took place.