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Parking lot argument leads to stabbing after Rays game, St. Pete police say

The victim’s injury is not life-threatening, according to police. What caused the argument was not released by police.
 
Alexander Garcia, 19, was arrested Monday night on a charge of aggravated battery with a deadly weapon.
Alexander Garcia, 19, was arrested Monday night on a charge of aggravated battery with a deadly weapon. [ Pinellas County Sheriff's Office ]
Published Sept. 21, 2021|Updated Sept. 21, 2021

ST. PETERSBURG — One fan stabbed another during an argument in the Tropicana Field parking lot after Monday night’s Tampa Bay Rays game, St. Petersburg police said.

Alexander Garcia, 19, of Clearwater, was arrested on a charge of aggravated battery with a deadly weapon, police said in a news release.

The game ended at about 10:30 p.m. and afterward, two fans started arguing in Lot 6 outside Gate 1, northeast of the stadium. They began hitting one another, according to an arrest affidavit, and Garcia went to his car to get a 5-inch hunting knife.

Garcia returned and confronted the other man a second time, moving around the man;s sister and stabbing him in the stomach, the affidavit said. Garcia tried to flee but was detained by officers who were working traffic control after the game.

The victim received injuries that were not life-threatening. Garcia also received medical treatment after the arrest, the affidavit said.

Police did not say why the two fans were arguing. Garcia said he was not under the influence of alcohol or drugs at the time of the fight, the affidavit said.

Garcia was being held in the Pinellas County Jail on Tuesday in lieu of $10,000 bail.