A 19 year-old man was stabbed in the neck and critically wounded at a drinking party involving teenagers late last Saturday night or Sunday morning in Covington, and his attacker was arrested, according to the King County Sheriff Department.

About 3:15 a.m. April 6, sheriff deputies and Covington Police officers went to a report of a loud party at a house in the 17900 block of Southeast 259th Street. They found about 10 teens milling around in the front yard. All but two went back inside the house, authorities said.

The two who remained outside smelled of and exhibited the effects of alcohol. Both were 18 years old. One identified herself as a resident of the house and said it was her party and that her parents were out of town, authorities said. Both were arrested.

Officers said the party host refused requests for the police to go into the house to investigate further.

At this point, a red automobile pulled up to the front of the house. The 18 year-old driver had been drinking and he was arrested.

Via loudspeaker, deputies announced they were seeking a search warrant to enter the house, and all occupants should come outside before that occurred. Suddenly, the front door flew open and a 19 year-old male staggered out of the house, gushing blood from his neck and mouth, officers reported.

The apparent suspect in the stabbing came out of the house shortly thereafter and was detained by deputies. He is a 19 year-old Kent man. He was booked into the King County Jail on suspicion of assault.

Deputies who entered the house to check for any other victims found a large amount of blood in the entryway and a blood-covered steak knife. There was a trail of blood up the stairs, with blood smeared on the walls of the staircase and more blood on the second floor, authorities said.

The stabbing reportedly arose out of an argument between the victim and the girlfriend of the suspect. The stabbing happened while officers were outside the residence.

The 20 or so other people still at the party were identified and released.

The girl who allegedly threw the party faces gross misdemeanor charges of minor in possession of alcohol and furnishing a premise where alcohol is consumed by minors, authorities said.

Staff writer Kris Hill can be reached at (425) 432-1209 (extension 5054) and khill@reporternewspapers.com