Based on what could have happened, it may be a blessing that two men are in the Marengo County Jail. A few inches either way, and both could be dead.

During what Sheriff Jesse Langley described as a “pasture party” Friday around midnight, Wesley A. Blankenship got into a scuffle with a group of young men. That scuffle soon became a melee.

“It looks like they got into an argument and [Blankenship] hit one of the boys,” Langley said about the party off County Road 73 in the Dixons Mills area. “[Blankenship] then stabbed him four or five times.”

The victim, Adam Sheffield, apparently was put in a car by his friends after the stabbing, but according to Langley, the fight wasn’t over yet.

“Blankenship then got another knife… it was about 16 inches long… and stood in front of their car,” Langley said.

Though it is unclear what caused the argument and eventual stabbing, Blankenship refused to let the car leave.

Cody Sheffield, 18, then allegedly pulled out a gun and shot through the windshield of the car.

At least one gunshot, according to Langley, hit Blankenship in the head.

District Attorney Greg Griggers, who has begun working the case, said Blankenship was later found at home with a gunshot wound to the head.

“They had to make him go to the doctor,” Griggers said.

Langley and Sheriff’s deputies responded to the stabbing and shooting. They arrested Blankenship for Assault I. Cody Sheffield also was arrested and charged with Assault I.

According to the Marengo County Circuit Clerk’s office, both Blankenship and Cody Sheffield were being held Monday on $15,000 bond.

The only fortune from the weekend incident was that no one was killed. According to Langley, the victims are all stable.