(Memphis) We are learning more about a man who was stabbed at an auto parts store this weekend.
It turns out the victim has a lengthy criminal record.
Demarkus Finnie, an O’Reilly’s Auto Parts employee, is accused of stabbing a customer at the store on South Bellevue.
Some believe the victim may have played a part in the crime.
News Channel 3 found out the clerk, besides a traffic violation, has no prior arrests on his record.
The victim, John Poe, has been arrested dozens of times, including for aggravated assault.
Anthony Bridgewater says he saw the police as soon he got to work Saturday morning, “They already had the crime scene stuff already out there.”
Witnesses say Poe tried to return a battery at the store when he got into an argument with 22-year-old Finnie, who was behind the counter.
Police say the argument led the worker to grab a knife and stab Poe twice in the head.
Poe was rushed to The MED.
“I have no idea what made him snap like that,” said Bridgewater.
Anthony says he knows Finnie because he’s purchased phones from him, “When the guy came in to speak to me, he never seemed like he was angry, or nothing like that. He was a really nice guy.”
According to court records, Finnie’s only been in trouble with the law for driving on a suspended license, but the man he’s accused of stabbing has a long rap sheet, including burglaries, assaults, and 12 arrests for theft.
Once, Poe was arrested for stealing meat at Save a Lot, a store just down the street from O’Reilly’s, and police say he also got busted stealing batteries from a hardware store.
Whatever the reason for the violence, Anthony says he knows what it’s like to have problems with customers and crooks.
“See how we have the bluetooth’s on the wall? I guess he saw that and busted the window and ran through there,” said Bridgwater, talking about a recent burglary at his phone store where windows are shattered.
Still, Anthony says instead of lashing out, they are letting police handle the case.
According to family members, Poe is still in the hospital recovering from his stab wounds.
Finnie is in jail, charged with aggravated assault and being held on a $250,000 bond.
