'I thought he was a terrorist': Chattanooga man charged in stabbing near Taco Bell

CHATTANOOGA, Tenn. – A man faces several charges in Chattanooga after police say he repeatedly stabbed another man outside a Taco Bell after saying he thought the victim was a terrorist.

The incident happened shortly after 11 p.m. Tuesday near the Taco Bell on Shallowford Road.

According to an affidavit, officers when they arrived found the victim lying in the parking lot. He had been stabbed in the chest, back and knee. An ambulance took him to hospital in critical condition. The affidavit says his condition later became stable.

Authorities quickly caught up with the suspect, later identified as 31-year-old Jessie Dean Roberts.

Roberts told police he was walking past the Taco Bell and “saw [the victim] the following. ” According to the report, Roberts said the man “approached him in a threatening manner.”

I thought [the victim] I was a terrorist and I had to do the right thing, the report said, Roberts said.

Roberts said he stabbed the man after “a brief argument” and said “he had no remorse and would do it again,” according to the report.

The victim spoke to investigators at the hospital. He said he told Roberts “I'll kick your ass” just before Roberts stabbed him.

Roberts is now charged with attempted first-degree murder.