Sailor charged with stabbing Sarver native
PORTSMOUTH, Va. — The U.S. Navy on Wednesday charged the sailor in the stabbing last month of a Sarver native.
Petty Officer 3rd Class Wilbur Harwell is accused of stabbing Petty Officer 2nd Class Justin Powell, a 2007 graduate of Freeport High School, on June 6 at the Naval Support Activity Hampton Roads Portsmouth Annex.
He is charged with attempted murder and two counts of aggravated assault with a dangerous weapon, according to a Navy news release.
Harwell has been in custody since being turned over June 12 to Navy officials by federal agents. A hearing for Harwell is Aug. 18.
Powell, 25, was released last month from the Naval Medical Center in Portsmouth. He is the son of Pamela and Michael Powell of Sarver. He and his wife have a 5-month old child.
Agents said Harwell fled after stabbing Powell in a barracks room June 6. After the assault, agents say Powell left the barracks and made his way to the Navy Exchange area for help.
Agents said they believe another service member may have helped Harwell leave the installation before the gates were closed, and drive him to Virginia Beach, where he was caught at a hotel later in the afternoon by Navy, local and federal officials.
Further details of the investigation have not been released.