Lasalle Street in Winslow was the site of a stabbing Wednesday morning. Police have arrested a 21-year-old suspect. Morning Sentinel file

WINSLOW — A 21-year-old man was arrested Wednesday as a suspect in a stabbing that prompted schools to lock down and the town to issue a warning to residents.

The stabbing occurred around 10 a.m. and police responded after receiving a call about a man walking down Lasalle Street with blood on him, according to police Chief Leonard Macdaid.

He said the man had been stabbed “at least six times” from behind — in his head, shoulders and back — by an unknown assailant.

Despite his wounds, the victim was able to walk a block away to an apartment building at 13 Monument St., Macdaid said. The chief said officers found the man by “following the trail of blood” down the block.

“He didn’t have any idea who would stab him,” Macdaid said. “He had no idea who the assailant was.”

The man suffered noncritical injuries and was stabilized at the scene, he said. He was transported to MaineGeneral’s Thayer Center for Health in Waterville.

He was identified by Macdaid as a 65-year-old man who lived on College Avenue in Waterville.

The police investigation led officers to 102 Clinton Ave. where the suspect, identified as Justin Boucher, was found in a back room. Boucher jumped out a window and was chased for about a block before officers apprehended him, Macdaid said.

Boucher was charged with elevated aggravated assault and two counts of violating conditions of release.

Boucher was found with cut marks and wounds, Macdaid said, and was taken to the Thayer Center for treatment. It was not clear how he received his injuries.

“(Boucher) is not really cooperating too much,” Macdaid said.

The chief said after the stabbing occurred he had advised Winslow schools to be locked to the public and town offices to close.

Superintendent Peter Thiboutot said school officials were advised this was a “serious incident” and schools were locked to the public for a little over an hour.

It was the second lockout in a week for Winslow schools. A domestic assault Thursday that police said occurred at a Boston Avenue residence only a couple of blocks from Winslow High School prompted all district schools to lockout the public for half an hour. No arrest has been made in that case.

Macdaid made it clear that it is not schools that decide to lock down, but the police. “I know the school is getting a lot of grief, but it’s really not their fault,” he said.

Town Manager Erica LaCroix had issued an email alert to residents following the stabbing and advised them to “secure your area if you haven’t already.”

Macdaid said once Boucher is cleared by the hospital, he’ll be transferred to the Kennebec County jail.