MURPHYSBORO – A rural Ava man has been charged in a weekend stabbing in Jackson County.

According to the sheriff’s office, 21-year-old Michael A. Alstat is lodged in the Jackson County Jail charged with Reckless Conduct and two counts of Aggravated Battery-Deadly Weapon/Great Bodily Harm. Online court records show a preliminary hearing for Alstat is set for July 8 in Jackson County Court.

Just before 3 Saturday morning, deputies responded to a report of a disturbance with a man stabbed near Business Highway 13 and Ava Road in rural Murphysboro.

A short time later, a second caller reported a man and woman on his porch at his home on Ava Road covered in blood. They told the man they had been stabbed.

Deputies arrived and found Matthew Dunmyer and Nico Harper. Dunmyer was severely bleeding from a cut on his neck. Harper’s hand was cut. Deputies gave medical aid until ambulance arrived. They were taken to an area hospital for further treatment.

Other deputies found Alstat at another home. He had minor injuries consistent with being in a fight.

A preliminary investigation showed Dunmyer, Harper and Alstat were traveling in the same vehicle when a fight began.