A Defuniak Springs, Fla., man has been charged with assault following a stabbing at a Florala apartment complex Saturday.

Florala Police Chief Sonny Bedsole said 45-year-old Ronnie Lamont Phillips is charged with first-degree assault, failure to appear and public intoxication following the incident.

“We got a call at approximately 7 p.m. about an altercation at Westlawn Heights apartments, where (Phillips had allegedly) stabbed a person in the back with a kitchen knife,” Bedsole said.

“Witness reports said the victim, who was identified as Scott Thomas of Prichard, was attempting to leave the apartment and was getting into his vehicle, when (Phillips allegedly) ran up behind him and stabbed him,” he said.

Bedsole said Phillips fled the scene on foot, but was apprehended shortly before 10 p.m. on Sixth Street by Officer Paul Adams.

Thomas was transported to Florala Memorial Hospital for treatment due to the severity of his injury, but has since been released.

Phillips was placed in the Covington County Jail and later released on a $10,500 bond.