Local & State Headlines

Man stabbed Wal-Mart check-out

• An Omega man is in critical condition Monday after being stabbed in Tifton’s Wal-Mart.

Susan McCord

TIFTON — A Tift County teen was stabbed Sunday night after witnesses say he approached another teen near the check-out line at Tifton’s Wal-Mart SuperCenter, according to police.

Around 9:45 p.m. Sunday, witnesses told Tifton police officers that two brothers, ages 16 and 17, were waiting for family members after making a purchase.

They were approached by Mario Martinez, 17, and another male, and a verbal exchange and fight ensued, authorities said Monday.

“At some point during this confrontation, Mario Martinez was stabbed at least once by the 16-year-old male,” Tifton Police Department officials said in a statement.

Martinez, of Omega, fled, but was located by police at a United Postal Service Depot and taken to Tift Regional Hospital, where he was in intensive care Monday afternoon, authorities said.

The 16-year-old juvenile has been charged with aggravated assault in the stabbing and is being held at the Youth Detention Center in Cordele.