LAKE FOREST – Authorities investigating the stabbing of four people early Saturday believe the incident may be connected to an earlier dispute inside a Lake Forest nightspot

Shortly before 2 a.m., the Orange County Sheriff’s Department received a report that multiple people had been stabbed outside of Kolla’s Night Club in the 23800 block of Mercury Road, said sheriff s Lt. John Roche.

The stabbings apparently stemmed from an earlier argument in the club between two groups of people, Roche said.

Three men and woman reportedly left the club before being attacked by two men and a woman, Roche said.

One man was stabbed in the chest and left forearm, and another man was cut across the left thigh, Roche said.

The woman was stabbed in the left forearm, and the third man in the group that was attacked was stabbed in the right forearm, according to Roche.

Based on surveillance video from Kolla’s obtained by investigators, Roche said one victim was stabbed with what appears to be a knife with a 10-inch blade.

None of the injuries appeared life-threatening, Roche said.

The attackers fled in two vehicles before deputies arrived at the club. They remained at large Saturday night, according to Roche.

A motive for the attack has not been determined, but the incident doesn’t appear to be gang-related, Roche said.

Two of the victims were taken by ambulance to Mission Hospital in Mission Viejo. The other two were taken to Saddleback Memorial Medical Center in Laguna Hills.

Anyone with information about the stabbings should call Orange County Crime Stoppers at 855-TIP-OCCS or go to occrimestoppers.org. Callers can remain anonymous.

Contact the writer: 714-796-7767 sschwebke@ocregister.com Twitter: @thechalkoutline

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