Man stabbed during argument at Elmont gift shop on Christmas, police say

A 66-year-old man was stabbed in the neck after arguing with a 71-year-old fellow customer in a gift shop Wednesday afternoon in Elmont, Nassau police said.

John Thorpe of St. Albans, Queens, was charged with attempted murder, resisting arrest and criminal possession of a weapon.

Thorpe, police said, had argued with the victim at Ebony Cards and Gifts. Thorpe then left the shop, located at 2107 Dutch Broadway, got a knife from his car, went back inside and attacked the victim, who suffered what the police called a deep laceration with substantial pain, swelling and bleeding.

When the police arrived, "The defendant began to struggle with officers, flailing his arms in an attempt to prevent them from placing him into custody," police said, adding Thorpe finally complied with their commands and was arrested.

The victim was taken to a hospital and was in stable condition, police said.

Thorpe was arraigned Thursday at First District Court in Hempstead. He was held on bail of $250,000 cash or bond and his next court date is Monday, according to online court records. He is represented by the Legal Aid Society of Nassau County.