A man was stabbed early Saturday morning at a convenience store in Daytona Beach, according to police.

  • Man was stabbed four times at a convenience store Saturday
  • Police say the man got into a fight with the store clerk
  • The clerk was arrested and charged with aggravated battery

The stabbing happened at about 12:30 a.m. at Jolly World located on Mason Avenue.

Police say 23-year-old Deandre Howard got into a fight with the clerk, 24-year-old Manu Ravindran.

Ravindran told police that Howard had stolen items from the store three weeks ago. The clerk said he was upset that he had called police at the time of the incident, but no arrests were made.

Ravindran said Howard entered the store with a cigar and blew smoke into his face. That's when Ravindran reached out, grabbed the cigar and threw it to the ground, according to the arrest report.

However, Howard told investigators when he entered the store, Ravindran started yelling, "I'll kill you" and attacked him.

A fight ensued, with Ravindran pulling out a knife at one point.

Police say Ravindran stabbed Howard four times in the neck, chest, torso and wrist.

Howard ran to a nearby apartment and locked himself inside. Police were able to make contact with him a short time later. Howard told investigators he fled because he feared he would be arrested for outstanding warrants.

He was taken to Halifax Health Medical Center. Doctors told investigators that Howard will likely permanently lose control of his left hand due to the severity of his injury.

Surveillance equipment from the store was taken into evidence, but investigators say the footage had been erased.

Ravindran was arrested and has been charged with aggravated battery.