Store patron stabbed after intervening in fight between customers, NC police say

A man was stabbed in the chest when he tried to settle a dispute between two store customers, one of whom had a gun, according to investigators in eastern North Carolina.

It happened around 10:45 a.m. Saturday at the Ollie’s Bargain Outlet in Jacksonville, about a 120-mile drive southeast from downtown Raleigh.

“The initial investigation has determined ... 54-year-old Stacey Nicole Sanders and 39-year-old Bethany May Cardona were in a physical exchange when Sanders brandished a firearm,” Jacksonville police said in a May 30 news release.

“David Cardona disarmed Sanders and she left the business briefly. Sanders returned with a knife which was used to stab Cardona in the chest.”

Details of 44-year-old David Cardona’s condition were not released, and investigators have not said what started the brawl.

Sanders was arrested and charged with misdemeanor assault with a deadly weapon and carrying a concealed handgun, police said.

This story was originally published May 31, 2026 at 7:41 AM.