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Inset: Tariq Thomas (Woodbury County Jail). Background: The home on South Lyons Street in Sioux City, Iowa, where the stabbing occurred (Google Maps).
A western Iowa man faces a lengthy prison term following a violent altercation where he stabbed his cousin in the head, authorities report.
Tariq Thomas, 24, received a 10-year prison sentence, as confirmed by NBC affiliate KTIV based on court records.
The sentencing came after Thomas admitted guilt to the charge of willful injury causing serious injury.
The incident occurred on October 11, when Tariq and his cousin, 24-year-old Saville Thomas, were drinking together in the basement of a home located on South Lyons Street in Sioux City.
According to law enforcement, the duo’s evening of drinking escalated into a heated argument at approximately 6:10 p.m., which tragically turned violent.
“[Tariq Thomas] grabbed a large butcher knife and stabbed the victim in the left collarbone before plunging the knife in the victim”s head hard enough to break the handle off,” court documents reviewed by the TV station read.
Saville Thomas reportedly emerged from the home, leaving blood in his wake, and was stumbling on a different road about a 20-minute walk away from the residence when authorities were notified and made contact with him. The knife blade was still in his head, and he had a wound to his collarbone.
After being picked up by first responders, the stabbing victim was brought to an area hospital and then later transferred to a different hospital. At the second location, he underwent a 6-hour surgery to have the knife blade removed. The victim was eventually released.
Mariah Thomas, 34, was also reportedly at the home. She is believed to have seen the blood and tried to clean it in the basement as well as “wash off the driveway where there was a trail of blood from inside leading to the street,” authorities wrote.
Both the woman and Tariq Thomas were arrested on Oct. 20, at their home.
Mariah Thomas was charged with obstruction of justice, according to a press release issued by the police department. She pleaded not guilty on Oct. 30, and is due in court on Dec. 18, according to KTIV.