Alabama man stabbed outside Mullet Festival
NICEVILLE — A Florala, Ala., man was stabbed Saturday night by a longtime enemy at the Boggy Bayou Mullet Festival.
James Suttles, 18, was stabbed once in the upper abdomen after he apparently followed 18-year-old Ryan McCurly, also from Florala, to his truck as McCurly tried to leave the festival, said Niceville police Lt. Randy Sallee.
The two men, who have a history of not getting along, ran into each other at the festival and started “squabbling,” Sallee said. Both were separated, issued trespass warnings and escorted to different gates.
McCurly had parked his pickup along State Road 85 north of the festival grounds. Suttles followed McCurly to his truck, where McCurly stabbed Suttles with a pocket knife in apparent self-defense, Sallee said.
“He (McCurly) was trying to leave — to do what he was asked to do,” Sallee said. “That’s what it’s looking like.”
No charges have been filed and the case is still under investigation. Suttles’ injuries do not appear to be life threatening. “He’s fine. He’s doing good. He should be getting out any time,” said Niceville police detective Joseph Forgione. The stabbing was the only serious incident at the festival. “Everyone pretty much behaved themselves. Everyone just had fun,” Forgione said.
About 30 police officers from Niceville, Valparaiso and Crestview worked security.
In addition to Suttles and McCurly, eight people were issued trespass warnings for various reasons.
Six vehicles parked along SR 85 were broken into, but nothing was taken.