Andy Cashman, Maryland State Fairgrounds assistant manager, said in his 15 years working as an administrator he has never heard of a grisly fight taking place on the property like the knife attack that started shortly after Oktoberfest this past weekend.

The unprovoked attack that sent two men to the hospital with non life-threatening injuries Saturday evening has prompted Cashman and fairgrounds general manager Howard "Max" Mosner to re-examine the beer festival, which may now be considered for relocation.

Representatives from the Trigger Agency, the event's promoters, did not immediately return calls seeking comment.

As a non-profit organization, the fairgrounds can be selective for which shows, expos and celebrations will be featured in one or more of the property's exhibition spaces.

"If we find it to be a problem, we don't have to have it here," Cashman said. "We want to keep this place in good standing … in a positive light, without problems."

The Maryland Brewer's Oktoberfest featured beer tastings from 15 local breweries. More than 80 beers were on tap for the 12,000 people expected to attend. The festival took place at the fairgrounds racetrack grandstand from 11 a.m. to 6 p.m.

At 6:30 p.m., as groups of festival-goers headed toward the exits, a fight broke out at the Cow Palace.

Nicholas Atkins, 27, from the 2400-block of Wilkens Avenue, threatened "to kill" his friend, a 36-year-old unnamed man from Pennsylvania, according to police spokesman Cpl. Mike Hill.

"The 36-year-old tried to run but Atkins produced a knife and slashed at him several times," Hill said. "The victim then ran in fear and the suspect, Mr. Atkins, ran into the Cow Palace at the Timonium Fairgrounds. While in the Cow Palace, Mr. Atkins then threatened a 53-year-old male from Baltimore and began to cut him."

An off-duty police officer and a witness were able to subdue Atkins until police officers arrived.

Hill said alcohol played a factor in the fight. Both Atkins and the first victim had been drinking at the festival, although there wasn't a known cause for the incident, police said.

"The first [victim] was a friend of his and for no reason, no provocation, he decided to threaten to kill him," Hill said. "When he went into the Cow Palace he just sought out a victim with no provocation at all. There was no reasoning behind either of these two incidents.

"I'm sure alcohol did have some contribution to what happened. However, we're not able to say that convincingly enough that that was the ultimate reasoning for these two attacks."

Atkins has been charged with first- and second-degree assault, and reckless endangerment.

Both victims suffered cuts that were not life-threatening, although the first victim, who was found at the Light Rail stop in Timonium, suffered from lacerations to his face, chest and arms. He was transported by medics to the Shock Trauma Center in serious condition, Hill said.

There was personal security on-site working at Oktoberfest, provided by the Trigger Agency. The incident and the event itself were geographically at opposite ends of the fairgrounds property. 

Atkins is currently being held at the Baltimore County Detention Center. He has a bail review hearing scheduled for tomorrow. 

CORRECTION: An earlier version of this story incorrectly spelled Andy Cashman's name. We regret the error.