FORT PAYNE  — A Rainsville man is in custody in connection with the stabbing of two people in the Shiloh Community, according to DeKalb County Sheriff Nick Welden.

DeKalb deputies and Rainsville police officers responded to a report of an assault with a knife at a residence on Dawson Avenue Sunday.

As the first deputy neared the scene, he saw a man running away from the location and found reason to detain him. When the deputy and Rainsville police went to the residence, they found two people suffering from life-threatening injuries on the scene.

They rendered immediate aid and DeKalb Ambulance Service responded shortly thereafter.

DeKalb County investigators and the Jacksonville State University’s Center for Applied Forensics responded to the scene.

After investigation by the DeKalb County Criminal Investigation Division, Ballard Eugene Pennington Jr, 52, of Rainsville, also known as “BB,” was arrested and charged with two counts of first-degree domestic violence, a Class A felony.

The investigation continues, Welden said, and there may be additional charges.

 “Thank you to all first responders for your swift action in rendering aid to the victims and also in the arrest of the assailant,” the sheriff said. “We are focused on protecting the citizens of this county, especially the ones who cannot protect themselves. Please pray for the victims as well as their family.”