OKEECHOBEE — A local man was reportedly stabbed by his sister’s boyfriend during an altercation in the victim’s home. Lance Hamblen, 26, was arrested April 21 and charged with aggravated battery with a deadly weapon.

On April 18 at approximately 6:45 a.m., Okeechobee County Sheriff’s Deputy Michael Cauley responded to the home on Southeast 39th Avenue in reference to a stabbing. When he arrived, the complainant was holding a blood soaked towel around his hand and told Cauley that Hamblen had stabbed him. He said Hamblen was at the house to visit the complainant’s sister but was not allowed to be there. He told Cauley when he asked Hamblen to leave, Hamblen picked up a piece of wood, and the complainant picked up a piece of metal to defend himself. According to the complainant, Hamblen then pulled out a knife and lunged at him, cutting his hand.

At the time of the incident, the complainant said he did not want to press charges, but the following day changed his mind.

The complainant’s sister told deputies she was in the shower when the argument began but heard a series of loud bangs which she later found out were from a starter pistol fired by her brother. She said Hamblen was trying to find his backpack so he could leave when her brother began firing the gun.

Hamblen reportedly told deputies he blacked out after the first shot was fired and did not know where the knife came from or how the complainant got cut.

Bond was set at $25,000.