Tossing a snowball almost cost a man his life in Lake Ridge.

Tyree Merle Alexander, 40, was arrested early Thursday morning after he sliced another man's neck with a box cutter, Prince William County police said.

Alexander was shoveling snow around 4 a.m. Thursday on the 3800 block of Core Place in Lake Ridge. Authorities said Alexander was hit by a snowball thrown by a 23-year-old Woodbridge man. An argument ensued between the two, ending when Alexander produced a blade and cut his victim, police said.

Occupants of a nearby house came outside and began fighting with Alexander. The fracas was broken up when police arrived and took Alexander in to custody.

The victim was airlifted to a nearby hospital with life threatening injuries, but is expected to survive.