Skyline, Ala., stabbing suspect 'is on the loose'

James Murray Jr.
James Murray Jr.
photo James Murray Jr.

Authorities in Jackson County, Ala., say one man is hospitalized with a stab wound and another remains at large with assault charges awaiting him when he's found.

The victim in the Wednesday morning incident, a 25-year-old whose name has not been released, is still being treated for a severe stab wound to his leg.

The suspect, 58-year-old James Murray Jr., "is on the loose," Jackson County Sheriff's Office Chief Deputy Rocky Harnen said Thursday.

"The Skyline Police Department responded along with us to a residence in Skyline on County Road 25 on a report of a fight," Harnen said of the initial call. "Apparently, there was an altercation between the suspect and victim at the residence where the victim was staying."

The victim was not armed, as far as authorities could tell.

County Road 25 runs through the heart of the tiny Skyline community in the north end of Jackson County about 13 miles south of the Tennessee state line.

photo A Jackson County Sheriff's Office patrol car is shown.

When Skyline and Jackson County officers got to the home, they learned that Murray had left with his girlfriend and returned to his residence about a mile away, Harnen said. Murray lives in a camper behind a house not far from the crime scene, he said.

Murray apparently dropped off his girlfriend at that residence, switched vehicles and fled.

Jackson County authorities said Murray and the unnamed victim, described as acquaintances, have had no prior incidents involving police. Harnen said investigators are unsure what triggered the fight.

Warrants for second-degree assault have been issued for Murray's arrest, and he is believed to be driving an older light blue, 3/4-ton Chevrolet pickup truck with a dark blue stripe, officials said.

Anyone with information about Murray's whereabouts or the incident should call the Jackson County Sheriff's Office at 256-574-2610.

Contact staff writer Ben Benton at bbenton@timesfreepress.com or 423-757-6569. Follow him on Twitter @BenBenton or at www.facebook.com/benbenton1.

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