AUGUSTA — A family barbecue turned heated Sunday when two men were stabbed with a knife for rebuffing a friend’s request for something to eat, police said.

Garrett Camren, 32, and an unidentified man fled the Bond Street barbecue after the stabbing and have not been seen since then, said Augusta Police Lt. Kevin Lully. Police continued to search for Camren on Tuesday.

Camren, whose last known address was in Augusta, stopped at the Bond Street barbecue around 7 p.m. Sunday as Vernon Smith, 43, was enjoying a barbecue with his family and friends, Lully said.

“The suspect is known to those involved,” Lully said. “They don’t know how he ended up coming into the neighborhood.”

Camren demanded something to eat from the barbecue. When his request was refused, he lashed out, Lully said.

“He kicked over the grill and a confrontation ensued,” Lully said.

Police believe Camren grabbed a folding knife during the confrontation and used it to cut Smith over the eyes and in the back. Christopher Bolduc, 24, of Augusta, suffered a cut to his ear and abdomen during scuffle, Lully said.

Smith was taken by ambulance to MaineGeneral Medical Center in Augusta with injuries that were not believed to be life-threatening. Bolduc subsequently went to the same hospital on his own, Lully said.

MaineGeneral Spokeswoman Diane Peterson said Tuesday that neither men was still at the hospital.

Lully said Camren fled the barbecue in a gray 1998 Chevy Malibu.

Camren, previously known as Garrett Haskell before legally changing his name, has previous criminal convictions including assault and operating after suspension. Camren was convicted in 2007 of trafficking in cocaine, criminal threatening, failure to appear and refusing to submit to arrest. He was sentenced to five years in prison, with all but 18 months suspended, and fined $400.

Lully said he is looking for tips on Camren’s whereabouts or the identity of the man who was with him during the reported attacks. He asked those with information to call Augusta police at 626-2370.

Craig Crosby — 621-5642

ccrosby@centralmaine.com

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