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South Carolina man stabbed by person sitting behind him in church

One parishioner suddenly stabbed another in the head, shoulder and neck during a service on Sunday morning.

By Stephen Feller

WEDGEFIELD, S.C., Oct. 23 (UPI) -- A regular Sunday at church escalated quickly when a man suddenly stood up and started stabbing the parishioner sitting in front of him, police said.

Billy Lewis, 65, allegedly stabbed an unidentified man sitting in front of him at the St. Paul African Methodist Episcopal Church in the middle of services with no provocation, witnesses told police after it happened.

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"There'd been no argument," said Ken Bell, public information officer at the Sumter County Sheriff's Department, and "as far as we know there'd been no animosity between the victim and the suspect."

"I've never heard of anything like this," Bell added.

Witnesses said Lewis, who was a regular at the church, simply stood up and started stabbing the older man, believed to be in his 60s, injuring him in the head, shoulder and neck.

Although the suspect has a history of mental illness, Bell said this was the first time he became violent, making it a surprise for those who know him.

The victim was airlifted to the hospital for treatment and was in stable condition.

Lewis was charged with attempted murder but police say he may receive other charges at a hearing scheduled for Monday at 2 p.m.

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"This is certainly a tragic event," said Sumter County Sheriff Anthony Dennis. "As bad as it was, we are fortunate it was not worse. Our thoughts and prayers go out the church members as well as the victim and his family and the suspect."

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