Desmel Cooper, age 40, of Manchester

MANCHESTER — Police have issued warrants for Desmel Cooper, a 40-year-old Manchester resident who is wanted in connection with the stabbing early Sunday morning that left a 37-year-old man in serious condition with life-threatening injuries, police said.

They said Cooper is wanted on charges of first-degree assault and convicted felon in possession of a deadly weapon.

The incident occurred around 1 a.m. in the rear of the 603 Bar and Grill, 1087 Elm St., where arriving officers were told by witnesses that a fight had broken out and someone had been stabbed, police said.

The victim was bleeding and fading in and out of consciousness, and found to be suffering from multiple stab wounds.

He was rushed to the Elliot Hospital for treatment of life-threatening injuries, police said.

(Photo by JEFFREY HASTINGS) A member of a biohazard cleanup crew working at the scene of Sunday's early-morning stabbing outside the 603 Bar and Grill in Manchester

Witnesses told police that the victim and several other people had been arguing inside 603 Bar and Grill and then later moved out into the alley behind the restaurant where the argument continued.

As the altercation escalated, the victim was stabbed, police said.

A large crime scene was established and people were removed from the area while investigators secured the scene. Manchester Police worked at the scene for several hours and the scene remained active well into Sunday morning.

Officers remained at the scene and a worker from Trauma Services, a biohazard clean-up company, worked to clean a large amount of blood from the sidewalk.

A significant amount of blood could be seen from Elm Street in front of the bar and nearly a half a block up Lowell Street to the area of 25 Lowell St.

Police ask anyone with information leading to the whereabouts of Cooper to contact the department at 668-8711 or call the Manchester Crimeline at 624-4040.