A North Webster man is in serious condition this morning in a Fort Wayne hospital after being stabbed several times shortly after midnight.

Kosciusko County Sheriff’s Deputies responded to various 9-1-1 calls early this morning at approximately 12:54 a.m. after witnesses said a man came to their door bleeding and seeking help.  As officers converged on the area of CR 850 East, south of CR 500 North, 9-1-1 callers said the victim, who was bleeding extensively, would immediately leave when advised they were calling for help.

KCSD officers and a Warsaw Police Department canine officer were able to locate the victim, Travis Ray Osbun, 33, 320 E. Huntington St., North Webster, near his vehicle just outside of his residence.  Osbun had apparently been stabbed at least four times in the abdomen/chest area and was immediately transported to Lutheran Memorial Hospital, Fort Wayne in serious condition.

The alleged suspect, Billy Joe Pearson, 19, 4426 N. CR 850 East, Leesburg, was located at his residence and taken into custody without incident.

According to Kosciusko County Sheriff’s Department detectives, Osbun had apparently gotten into a domestic argument with his girlfriend and went to the Pearson residence to “cool off.”  Pearson allegedly had become tiresome of Osbun during the evening and asked him to leave.

According to initial information, Osbun refused to leave at which point Pearson apparently began stabbing him.

The Kosciusko County Prosecutor’s Office preliminarily charges Pearson with felony aggravated battery.  Pearson currently does not have a bond set.

The Kosciusko County Sheriff’s Department was assisted by the North Webster Police Department, North Webster E.M.S., and the Warsaw Police Department.