By Jessie Burchette
Salisbury Post
CHINA GROVE ó Police followed a blood trail to find the victim of a stabbing early Sunday morning.
The man, Cesar Gaudalupe Martinez, 22, of 206 E. Liberty Street, apparently went door to door trying to get help.
Police Chief Hodge Coffield said authorities responded to a call at 113 E. Vance St., where a resident had called 911 and reported a suspicious person around 2:25 a.m.
Police found blood on the front porch and continued following the trail to 705 Salisbury St.
Officers found Martinez inside the home.
Coffield said he had stab sounds in the neck and back and was covered in blood.
Officers summoned county EMS and China Grove first responders.
Martinez was taken to NorthEast Medical Center, where he underwent surgery for several hours Sunday. He was last reported in stable condition.
Martinez told police that the the stabbing occurred at 206 E. Liberty Street.
Officers found a cousin of the victim, Artoro Pineda Martinez, 19, who had blood on his arms and face and had a cut on his finger.
Artoro Martinez admitted he had had a fight with Cesar Martinez when Cesar had tried to break into his house.
Police arrested Arturo Martinez on attempted murder charges and drug-related charges.
They found marijuana plants growing inside and outside the house, as well as seeds and other materials.
Martinez was being held Monday in the Rowan County Detention Center under $100,000 bond.
Contact Jessie Burchette at 704-797-4254 or jburchette@salisburypost.com.