Paul Lenzi

A 68-year-old Butler man is facing attempted homicide and aggravated assault charges for allegedly stabbing another man Monday during a struggle along South Main Street in Butler.

Paul Leslie Lenzi was arraigned on both felony charges and is being held in the county prison in lieu of $250,000 bail.

The alleged victim, Ryan Troup, 40, of Butler was treated at Butler Memorial Hospital and released, according to Butler police.

At 1:50 p.m., city police responded to the area of 322 South Main St. for a report from several callers that a man had stabbed another man.

Upon arriving on scene, officers found Troup laying on the side of the street bleeding from wounds to his chest, hands and neck, and rendered aid until medical personnel arrived.

Lenzi remained at the scene and was arrested without incident after witnesses identified him as the assailant. He was covered in blood, police said.

It was later determined that the individual was stopped from attacking the victim by an off-duty Butler County probation officer who witnessed part of the attack, police said. Numerous witnesses were at the scene and gave information to assist in the investigation.

Through investigation, police said they determined that the two men had no previous relationship and the attack seemed unprovoked.

According to an affidavit filed by police, Lenzi told police he saw Troup sitting in his car and knew from the past that he has a problem with the hood of the car not latching.

Telling police he is a retired locksmith, he said he asked Troup if he needed help, and Troup got out of his car and tried to hit him. Lenzi said he then stabbed Troup in self-defense.

Off-duty probation officer Chad Cammisa was nearby, heard people yelling and approached the scene where he saw Lenzi on top of Troup, police said.

He told police that he was going to tackle Lenzi until he saw him making a stabbing motion with a large knife in his hand. Instead, Cammisa drew his handgun and ordered Lenzi to stop several times before he got off of Troup and sat on the sidewalk, police said.

Another witness reported seeing Troup sitting in his vehicle and Lenzi leaning against the passenger side of the car. They walked to the front of the car, where Troup opened the hood and it looked like they were going to work on the car.

Lenzi then stabbed Troup, and they fell to the ground with Lenzi on top, the witness told police. Lenzi stabbed Troup several times until Cammisa ordered him to drop the knife, the witness said.