In a chilling confrontation, a man suspected to be under the influence of alcohol allegedly tried to stab a Hillsboro man with a buck knife at 2:11 a.m. Sunday in the 200 block of E. 1st St.

Christian Frank Ward, 40, told police he was in his shed when he heard “what he thought was someone trying to open his truck,” according to Hillsboro Police chief Dan Kinning.

When Ward investigated, Kinning said he saw John R. Davis, 28, Hillsboro, standing next to a toolbox on his truck and proceeded to confront him.

“Ward said the suspect just ignored him and walked away,” Kinning said, “so he followed him into a neighbor’s yard and continued to confront him.”

Ward told police that Davis allegedly held up a “six-to-eight-inch buck knife” in what he described as “a stabbing position” and lunged, causing Ward to “back off,” before Davis “took off running down the alley.”

Officer Randy Brazil’s report indicated that Davis was suspected of being under the influence of alcohol.

Police tracked Davis through a mutual acquaintance, but the knife was not in Davis’s possession when Brazil found him, Kinning said; however, Ward identified Davis on sight.

“They did not find the knife on him, but he was struggling and yelling and very physical while in hand cuffs,” Kinning said.

Davis faces charges of aggravated assault, criminal trespass, interference with a law enforcement officer, and disorderly conduct.