Police: Smithfield Man Cut During Dispute At Public Park

SMITHFIELD, N.C. – A 40-year-old Smithfield man was arrested following a knife assault at Smith Collins Park Saturday afternoon.

Police said the incident occurred around 3:30 p.m. Feb. 28 at the basketball court at the park on East Lee Street. Officers said Lawrence Darrell Wright allegedly pulled a knife during a verbal argument and cut a 35-year-old Smithfield man.

Wright left the park before officers arrived but was arrested about 30 minutes later at his nearby residence.

The victim was treated at a hospital for a severe laceration and later released.

Police said Wright claimed he acted in self-defense, but witnesses reported he was the alleged aggressor.

After Wright arrived at the Johnston County Detention Center, jail staff reportedly found approximately 0.5 grams of suspected cocaine in his possession.

Wright was charged with felony assault with a deadly weapon inflicting serious injury, misdemeanor assault inflicting serious injury with a minor present, felony possession of cocaine, and felony possession of a controlled substance on jail premises.