A man was attacked with an axe in downtown Halifax Tuesday afternoon.

Halifax Regional Police say they are investigating after a 20-year-old man was struck in the head with an axe near the busy intersection at Duke and Barrington streets around 1:15 p.m.

The victim was taken to the Queen Elizabeth II Health Sciences Centre suffering from a traumatic head injury, according to the Emergency Health Services. An axe was found in the area.

He is in stable condition.

Police have two men in custody and officers are investigating the scene with a canine unit. They said charges are pending.