On March 31 at approximately 6:35 a.m., police officers responded to a 911 call regarding the nonlethal stabbing of a 27-year-old man by a 54-year-old man in the 500 block of 3rd Avenue. According to the SPD blog, the stabbing occurred after the younger man aggressively panhandled the older man for money.

Sounds like this illustrates the need for Tim Burgess's aggressive solicitation bill, doesn't it? Actually, no. Burgess's bill addresses "civility" issues. The 27-year-old will be charged for violating criminal law; this is a perfect example of how existing law already covers aggressive solicitation.

The SPD Blotter reports that the older man was arrested and taken to the West Precinct for an interview. When interviewed, the older man told officers that he was walking to purchase a newspaper on the 700 block of 3rd Avenue when the younger man approached and asked him for money. "The older man refused to give him any money and walked away," the blotter states, and "there may have been a verbal altercation between the two men during this encounter."

The younger man proceeded to follow the older man for two blocks while calling him names, demanding money, and allegedly taking a swing at the victim at least twice, according to the older man's account of events. On the 500 block of 3rd Avenue, the older man told the 27-year-old to leave him alone "or he would use a knife to defend himself." The younger man allegedly took a third swing at the victim. The report states that, fearing for his safety, the older man stabbed the younger man once in the stomach. The SPD blog notes the stabbing was apparent self-defense.

The blotter notes that the 27-year-old's version of events differs slightly from the victim's, but he "admits to demanding money and following the victim for two blocks."

The 54-year-old victim was released from the precinct following his interview. The 27-year-old man was still at the hospital receiving treatment for being stabbed, but charges are being requested.