Update: Man Arrested in Stabbing

11:38 a.m.: Lexington County Sheriff's Department deputies arrested a man they say stabbed a 42-year-old Gaston man.

Andrew Jason Smith, 28, of 200 Woodberry Road, Lot 225, West Columbia, is charged with attempted murder and possessing a weapon during the commission of a violent crime.

Deputies say the stabbing happened on Thursday and that Smith stabbed Michael Eugene Lovell, 42, of Gaston, multiple times in his upper torso with a double-bladed pocket knife.

Smith is being held at the Lexington County Detention Center while awaiting a bond hearing.

Original story: The Lexington County Sheriff's Department is seeking help in locating a West Columbia man who is wanted for attempted murder after he stabbed another man multiple times.

Lexington County Sheriff James Metts identified the suspect as Andrew Jason Smith, 28, of 200 Woodberry Road, Lot 225, West Columbia. 

Smith is wanted for attempted murder and possessing a weapon during the commission of a violent crime, Metts said. Smith is 6 feet, 190 pounds, and has brown hair and brown eyes. 

The motive for the stabbing, which occurred Thursday, and the circumstances of the assault remain under investigation, Metts said.

At the time of the stabbing, the victim -- Michael Eugene Lovell, 42, of Gaston -- was riding in the front passenger seat of a white Ford Escape sport-utility vehicle that Smith had leased, Metts said. 

Smith was driving the vehicle in the 200 block of Calks Ferry Road near the intersection with U.S. Highway 378 in the Lexington community when Smith stabbed Lovell multiple times in his upper torso with a double-bladed pocket knife.

Lovell escaped from the Ford Escape and sought help for his stab wounds, Metts said. Lovell was transported by helicopter to a local hospital where he was listed in critical but stable condition Friday night. 

Metts asked anyone with information about the stabbing or the whereabouts of Smith to call the Lexington County Sheriff’s Department at (803) 785-8230 or CrimeStoppers at 1-888-CRIME-SC. Citizens also can provide information anonymously by accessing the Crime Tip link on the Sheriff’s Department web site.