Manhunt is on in the nation’s capital following a blade brawl at a local establishment. Police are turning to the public for help tracking down a suspect involved in a knife attack in Southeast Washington, D.C.

The incident unfolded on the eve of Sunday, April 28, when an altercation between a store employee and the suspect escalated beyond heated words. The Metropolitan Police Department (MPD) reports that tension reached a boiling point around 8:05 p.m. at a business on the 3800 block of Pennsylvania Avenue, Southeast. According to MPD, the employee asked the agitator to exit the premises. The confrontation seemed to end when the suspect hopped on a bicycle and took off, only to return shortly after, reigniting the dispute.

What started as a verbal feud turned physical when the argument took a sharp turn. Officials say the suspect brandished a knife and assaulted a the store clerk, leaving behind a minor laceration before fleeing the scene once more, this time leaving his opponent wounded and the neighborhood racked with unease. 

The employee's wound was minor enough to be treated on the spot without the need for a hospital trip. Police urged anyone with information to come forward. MPD has released descriptions of the suspect but has yet to name any suspects. The situation remains an open wound for those involved, and the search for the culprit continues.

Anyone with information that could lead to an arrest is encouraged to contact MPD. The department maintains that community tips can provide crucial assistance in apprehending suspects and preventing further violence. The knife-wielding assailant remains at large.