Newport Man Allegedly Stabbed at Middletown Bar; Police Make Arrest

Middletown police arrested Quinci Hill, 23, of Newport, on a felony assault with a dangerous weapon charge after a 29-year-old Newport man was allegedly stabbed at Scotty's Big Dawg's early Sunday morning. Hill does not have a permanent address on record.

Police reported they were called to Big Dawg's around 1:05 a.m. for a report of a fight inside the bar. Police said when they arrived on-scene, a crowd of people yelled, "He's inside!" 

Police said Hill's T-shirt was covered in blood and there was blood on a wall near the door. Hill allegedly told police the blood was from his own nose, but reports said he showed no signs of injury.

A witness said the victim had left and police found the man behind Dunkin Donuts with stab wounds to his stomach and up the left side of his chest area. 

A surveillance monitor captured parts of the fight. Police saw the victim punch Hill in the face and Hill returned the punch and the fight went to the floor. Surveillance footage reportedly showed that there was a knife in Hill’s hand, but they were unable to view the actual stabbing because the fight went out of the camera's view. Although everyone on-scene initially denied witnessing the incident, police said the camera picked up potential witnesses.

When questioned, a witness told police Hill had dropped the knife in a storm drain near Home Depot.  Police searched the area and found a knife.  Other potential witnesses were interviewed and were either unable or unwilling to provide information.  

At the station, Hill allegedly told an officer he had not been honest and he wanted to explain.  He said he had been sucker punched while he was outside smoking with another man.  

He told police the other man "Solved the problem. Solved the problem, you know what I mean?" When asked the man's name, Hill allegedly said he was not a "snitch" and he would not get someone else in trouble for helping him.  He said that man was in a separate altercation with the victim, and alleged the victim threatened to kill the man's children. 

Hill continued to tell police that someone else was responsible for the stabbing. 

The victim was transported to Rhode Island Hospital.  His injuries were not considered to be life threatening but hospital staff reported they had difficulty getting the bleeding from the abdomen wound to stop. 

Police reported the victim was still in the hospital on Sunday afternoon, but his condition is unknown.

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