Officials waiting to talk to victims

Investigators with the Craven County Sheriff's Department are yet to speak with two victims of stabbing wounds from an altercation Saturday night near Vanceboro.

"We are still waiting to speak to the two men," said Craven County Sheriff investigator A.B. Dickerson III.

A problem with communications was cited as the reason for the delay.

Dickerson said Gene Tripp, whose age is 50-plus and Mike Gordon, 36, were involved in an altercation Saturday night at Tripp's mobile home in the 7000 block of U.S. 17 north, near Juanita's Seafood.

Dickerson said Tripp was taken to Craven Regional Medical Center. Gordon was taken to Pitt County Memorial Hospital in Greenville. Dickerson said Gordon was combative and intoxicated and hospital personnel had to sedate him.

He said Tripp did not want to answer questions.

Dickerson said Gordon has apparent puncture wounds, but the wounds were not life-threatening.

"We have to interview them to get the full story. We need them to cooperate," Dickenson said.

Dickerson said he would not know the entire story until the men are able and willing to talk.