Man Arrested After Stabbing at Country Thunder Festival

An early morning argument turned violent at the Country Thunder Festival in Arizona over the weekend. Twenty-year-old Austin Hansen was arrested after he allegedly stabbed a 36-year-old man around 5:30AM on Saturday morning, April 13. The victim was hospitalized and is in critical condition with wounds to his upper back and ribcage.

According to KPHO television, Hansen was charged with aggravated assault and disorderly conduct. Witnesses say a verbal argument escalated between two groups of festival-goers, resulting in a stabbing at the four-day camping and music festival that featured headliners Brantley Gilbert, Eric Church, Toby Keith and Lady Antebellum.

The unidentified victim was treated on site, but was later flown to a Scottsdale, Ariz. hospital where he underwent surgery. KNXV-TV reports that the Pinal County Sheriff's Office spokesperson said he is in critical condition.

Over 22,000 people attended Country Thunder Arizona, a sold-out festival in its 20th year. Country Thunder Wisconsin is July 18-21 in Twin Lakes, Wisc.