ROCKLAND — A Rockland man was sentenced to 12 years in prison with all but six years suspended for stabbing two people during an argument, causing injuries to the male victim who was transported via Life Flight to Maine Medical Center for treatment. 

George Gilmore, 32, pleaded guilty to elevated aggravated assault and aggravated assault in Knox County Unified Court before Justice Daniel Billings June 1. 

Gilmore will also serve four years of probation after he is released from prison. 

Gilmore, formerly of Bridgeport, Connecticut, was arrested by Rockland Police Dec. 6 and charged with elevated aggravated assault (Class A) and aggravated assault with a deadly weapon (Class B) for stabbing a 33-year-old male and his 28-year-old girlfriend. 

He has remained at the Knox County Jail since his bail was set at $50,000 cash at his hearing Dec. 8. 

Gilmore was also indicted by the Knox County grand jury for elevated aggravated assault and aggravated assault in Rockland April 3. 

On Dec. 6, at 12:08 p.m., Rockland police responded to the report of a stabbing incident at a residence at the Knox County Apartments on Knox Street. The suspect, later identified as Gilmore, had fled the scene prior to the arrival of police. 

Gilmore was then arrested after he was exiting the men's bathroom at Dunkin Donut's on Main Street in Rockland. 

Police filed an affidavit in court Dec. 6, to obtain a search warrant to collect evidence at the residence where the stabbing took place. 

Gilmore was living in the apartment with the two stabbing victims along with an unidentified number of children. The female victim reported to police that she heard Gilmore yell to the male victim to pick up his underwear that he left on the bathroom floor. The man yelled back to Gilmore that he would pick it up later. An argument then started between Gilmore and the male victim, according to the court document. 

The argument centered around the treatment of one of the children in the home, the report said.  

The male victim, who was facing away from Gilmore, was tackled and then both men fell on the bed, the report said. Gilmore continued to strike the victim. The female victim tried to pull Gilmore off of the other man, but he continued the attack until she threatened to call the police. 

The woman told police that she did not see the knife and did not know that the man had been stabbed until she saw him covered with blood. She first realized she had also been injured when she called 911. 

Gilmore fled the scene when the woman called police. 

Both victims were transported to Penobscot Bay Medical Center by Rockland Fire/EMS. The male victim was then transported via Life Flight to Maine Medical Center due to the extent of the injuries he sustained as a result of the stabbing. The female victim was treated and released from Penobscot Bay Medical Center. 

Gilmore was transported to Penobscot Bay Medical Center where he was treated and released back into police custody for minor injuries sustained during the altercation, according to police. 

A hospital representative at Maine Medical Center in Portland confirmed Dec. 11 that the male victim had been released from the hospital.  

Rockland Police were also assisted by the Knox County Sheriff's Office, Rockport Police Department and Belfast Police Department K-9 Unit, as well as Rockland EMS, Thomaston Police, and Thomaston Ambulance. 

Related story: 

UPDATE Man arrested in Rockland following morning stabbing of two people

Reach Sarah Shepherd at news@penbaypilot.com