NEWTON MAN FOUND STABBED AT BUSINESS

By Jon Mayhew

CATAWBA COUNTY -- Newton police are looking for a suspect or suspects in reference to a felony assault after the victim is found laying in the parking lot of a Catawba County business.

Authorities responded around 9:30am Monday to Hernandez Ice Cream Parlor, 1901 Northwest Boulevard, after an employee found 37-year-old Heron Velez. The employee told police he was coming to work and heard someone calling for help. The victim was found beside his vehicle, with a laceration to his neck.

The employee drove Velez home, at which time family members called police and Catawba County EMS. Velez was taken to Catawba Valley Medical Center in Hickory with serious injuries.

Police are still investigating the case.