A man was stabbed in the head after an argument between customers in a Colchester shop.
The incident happened in the East Hill Superstore.
The victim, believed to be in his 20s, was suffering from a stab wound to the head.
He was taken by ambulance to Colchester General Hospital but his injuries were not thought to be life-threatening.
The suspect ran away, and police, including armed response officers and the Essex Police helicopter, began a manhunt.
An armed response vehicle was seen in Speedwell Road about an hour later. No arrests had been made.
The owner of the shop, who did not want to be named, said the incident stemmed from an argument between two regular customers.
He said it ended when one of the men was stabbed, but he insisted the victim was not seriously injured.
- Anyone who was in the East Hill area at the time of the incident, at about 4pm yesterday, or anyone with any information about the assault, should ring Colchester police on 0300 333 4444 or Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111.
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