Knife attack on 2 people in Charleston tourist district linked to NC man, SC cops say

A North Carolina man has been tied to a knife attack that injured two people in historic Charleston’s tourist district, according to investigators in South Carolina.

Joseph Michael Whitehurst, 32, of Raleigh, is charged with two counts of assault and battery of a high and aggravated nature and possession of a knife during the commission of a violent crime, the Charleston Police Department said in a Dec. 31 news release.

“Whitehurst was taken into custody by the U.S. Marshals Task Force in North Carolina and is awaiting extradition,” police said.

A motive has not yet been released.

The attack happened around 12:30 a.m. Saturday, Dec. 14, near the intersection of King and Hutson streets, one block northwest of Marion Square.

“Officers responded to reports of an assault in the area,” police said. “The victims stated that the suspect struck them with an unknown object after an argument. The victims received medical treatment for non-life-threatening injuries.”

Investigators say the suspect may have been accompanied by a woman who witnessed the event. Details of her identity and whereabouts were not released.

This story was originally published January 2, 2025 at 7:28 AM with the headline "Knife attack on 2 people in Charleston tourist district linked to NC man, SC cops say."