Police: Snowball leads to slashing

By Jennifer Buske

A man shoveling snow in Lake Ridge early Thursday was arrested after lashing out at a young man who threw a snowball at him, Prince William County police said.



Police responded to the 3800 block of Clore Place about 4:20 a.m. Thursday after Manassas resident Tyree Merle Alexander allegedly attacked a 23-year-old man with a box cutter. Police said Alexander, 40, was working as a contractor shoveling snow in the Lake Ridge community when the victim threw a snowball at him.

The victim, whose name is not being released, was hanging out at a friend's house when the incident occurred, and police said they do not know what caused him to throw the snowball. Alexander is accused of cutting the victim's throat with the box cutter. Prince William spokesman Jonathan Perok said this is the first time he has heard of a snowball leading to such an attack in the county.



After the incident, the victim returned to the house to call police, while other occupants of the house confronted and assaulted Alexander. The victim was flown to an area hospital with life-threatening injuries but is expected to survive.



Alexander was not injured when he was assaulted. He is charged with aggravated malicious wounding and is being held without bond. His court date is set for March 7.