Albert Lea police officers responded Tuesday night to a reported slashing of a woman’s neck with a sword in the downtown.

The incident took place shortly before 10:30 p.m.

According to the Albert Lea Police Department, officers performed life-saving measures in front of Inkaholics tattoo parlor at 102 Clark St., formerly named A-Town Tattoo, in an attempt to halt a 38-year-old woman’s excessive bleeding prior to the arrival of an ambulance from Albert Lea Medical Center. She was transported to the hospital and, as seen from the street, was awake when loaded onto the ambulance.

An investigation led to the arrest for assault of a 37-year-old man at 121 1/2 Broadway Ave., Apt. 2. A news release states officers found blood strewn about the hallway. The man peacefully exited the apartment, apparently intoxicated from alcohol, and was transported to the Freeborn County jail, pending formal charges.

A search warrant was obtained, and, according to the Albert Lea Police Department, officers retrieved a sword from the apartment. The investigation revealed the assault was a result of an exchange of epithets.

There were many people inside the tattoo parlor following the incident, and one man was cleaning blood from the floor. It was apparent the woman had entered into the parlor bleeding. The alleged slashing did not take place at the establishment, which is at the corner of Broadway Avenue and Clark Street.