The /*Ventura Police Department*/ received a call about a /*stabbing*/ at the courtyard of the Vagabond Inn at 756 E. Thompson Blvd at around 1:20 a.m. Friday.
Responding officers found 39-year-old John Mercier lying on the ground near the hotel's parking lot. Mercier sustained a serious but non-life threatening stab wound to his left hand. He was transported to the Ventura County Medical Center for treatment.
Upon investigation, officers determined that Mercier was standing near the parking lot when the suspect, who Mercier did not know, confronted him. After a verbal altercation, the suspect lunged at Mercier with a knife.
Mercier attempted to shield himself with his hand and got stabbed.
The suspect is described as a Hispanic male with a beard, in his 30s, wearing a dark beanie, dark shirt and tan pants.
He was last seen walking onto Thompson Boulevard.
If you have any information regarding this crime, you're urged to call Crime Stoppers at (800) 222-TIPS.
