Police: Hug Turned into Stabbing After Argument Over Jukebox Music

Updated (12:50 p.m.)—Police charged a man with attempted murder after an argument broke out over what music was playing on a jukebox at a local restaurant.

Martin Marroquin Rodriguez, 34, of Annapolis, was charged with attempted first- and second- degree murder in the stabbing of a man early Thursday.

One of Rodriguez' friends, Demesio Portillo Lopez, 41, of Annapolis, was also charged with assault, accused of slashing a friend of the victim with a sharp object. Both Lopez and Rodriguez were identified with their El Salvador identification cards, police said. 

Police said the dispute broke out at Lupita Restaurant on Forest Drive over the music playing on a jukebox. 

The unidentified victim approached the machine, wanting to put on some new music. He was then approached by Rodriguez and the two got into a verbal argument. Soon afterward, the man left the restaurant and in the parking lot of the Annapolis Seafood Restaurant, was approached by Rodriguez, who spoke with him and later gave him a hug.

"While hugging him, Marroquin Rodriguez stabbed him in the stomach," according to the police report.

The victim was flown to the University of Maryland's Shock Trauma Center and underwent surgery. The second victim refused treatment.

Rodriguez is charged with attempted first- and second-degree murder, first- and second-degree assault, dangerous weapon with intent to injure and reckless endangerment. He is being held at the Jennifer Road Detention Center without bond, according to a release.

Lopez was charged with first- and second-degree assault and dangerous weapon with intent to injure. He is being held at the Jennifer Road Detention Center on $50,000 bond, police said.