Bradenton man claims he was stabbed when he told another man he didn't have cigarettes

MANATEE -- A 41-year-old man told deputies he was stabbed Friday after telling another man he didn't have cigarettes, according to the Manatee County Sheriff's Office.

At about 1:40 p.m. Friday, deputies responded to the 600 block of 31st Avenue East, Bradenton, to reports of a stabbing.

The victim told deputies he had been in the cut-through between two homes leading to the next block when he was approached by another man who asked him for cigarettes, according to Sgt. Richard McClain. When the victim said he didn't have any, the other man stabbed him and ran off in an unknown direction, he told deputies.

The victim then walked to nearby home where he has been camping.

"They waited 45 minutes to call us," McClain said. "The blood was already dry on him."

The victim was taken to a hospital to be treated for his non-life-threatening injuries.

The man who stabbed him is reportedly skinny, about 5 feet, 5 inches tall and was wearing a white shirt and black pants. The victim could not provide an age range for deputies.

Jessica De Leon, Herald law enforcement reporter, can be reached at 941-745-7049. You can follow her on Twitter@JDeLeon1012.

This story was originally published December 18, 2015 at 3:03 PM with the headline "Bradenton man claims he was stabbed when he told another man he didn't have cigarettes ."