Columbia man charged with attempted murder

A Columbia man has been charged with attempted murder after an altercation with his brother on Sunday, Sheriff Leon Lott said.

Joseph Austin, 33, was arrested on Clearmeadow Drive after deputies found his brother lying on the ground, suffering from multiple stab wounds to the upper body. The brother was taken to Palmetto Health Richland Hospital where he was last reported in serious but stable condition, the sheriff said.

Lott said that just before 7 p.m. on Sunday, Austin and his brother were involved in a verbal altercation that became physical. The sheriff said a female friend of the victim was making fun of Austin because of his height, and when she left Austin accosted his brother over the incident.

The suspect is at the Alvin S. Glenn Detention Center.