One Person Stabbed Outside Night Club in Selbyville

SELYBVILLE, De. - Delaware State Police arrested two men after a fight in a parking lot sent another man to the hospital with stab wounds.

Police said it happened shortly after 1 a.m. Saturday morning when gun shots were reported at Pomeroy's Night Club in Selbyville.

Officers with the Selbyville Police Department were called out to the night club where they were alerted to a dark colored SUV leaving the area with the possible suspects who may have stabbed another male patron.

A traffic stop was initiated on the SUV just south of Pomeroy's and five male occupants were placed in custody. During an initial search of the vehicle, authorities found a handgun in the same spot where Marcus Purnell was seated. A computer check of the gun revealed that it was stolen out of Maryland.

Through further investigation, detectives learned that an altercation took place inside Pomeroy's and when the owner's closed the club down, the crowd continued to gather outside where the argument escalated into a large fight. At that time, police said Purnell produced a knife and began stabbing a 22-year-old male victim several times.

Azam Purnell, who is prohibited from possessing a firearm, produced a handgun during the fight and began striking other patrons and firing off numerous rounds as he was attempting to flee.

The suspects were able to make it to their car and leave shortly before officers arrived on scene.

The victim was initially taken by a personal vehicle to Atlantic General Hospital and was later transferred to Peninsula Regional Medical Center in Salisbury, Md., due to the seriousness of his injuries.

State police detectives were able to obtain a search warrant on the car and a large hunting knife was recovered.

Marcus Purnell was charged with attempted first-degree murder, possession of a deadly weapon during the commission of a felony, possession of a firearm during the commission of a felony, and receiving stolen property. He was committed to Sussex Correctional Institution on $176,000 cash bail.

Azam Purnell was charged with possession of a firearm by a person prohibited, receiving a stolen firearm, and disorderly conduct. He was also committed to the institution on $6,500 secured bail.