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Man accused of stabbing 5 at Charlotte hookah bar arrested at airport

CHARLOTTE, N.C. — Charlotte-Mecklenburg police have arrested a man accused of stabbing several people at a popular Charlotte hookah bar earlier this year.

Overnight, Channel 9 learned police arrested Aldon Lawrence and charged him in the stabbings that left five people injured in March at Red at 28th on Pinnacle Drive in University City.

Investigators said Lawrence stabbed five people following an argument at the bar. He has been charged with attempted murder and will face a judge Friday.

Sources told Channel 9 that Lawrence, an airline employee, was arrested at the airport Thursday while attempting to board a flight out of the country.

[RELATED: Business owners take action after 5 stabbed at hookah bar]

Police were desperate to find Lawrence and a few months ago, detectives released surveillance photos of him in a crowd weeks after the stabbing.

Three of the victims recognized Lawrence from the picture.

The stabbing prompted the owner of the hookah bar to hire a security guard to work five days a week and worked with CMPD during large events.

The owner also worked with police and local leaders to hold a town hall meeting to address the recent violence.

[READ MORE: Owner of hookah bar where 5 were stabbed hosts 'Stop the Violence' town hall]

Investigators have not yet said what led them to Lawrence. They were offering a $1,000 reward for information leading to an arrest.

Besides attempted murder, Lawrence was also charged with two counts of assault with a deadly weapon with intent to kill and two counts of assault with a deadly weapon inflicting serious injury.

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