At 21:00 hours, New Westminster Police responded to several 911 calls reporting that a male had been stabbed in the 700 block of 5th Avenue. The incident reportedly began as a verbal dispute between two groups of males and escalated to a stabbing of a 23 year old Port Alberni male. The victim was transported to hospital where he underwent surgery for his injuries. A 17 year old New Westminster youth was arrested nearby and will appear in court from custody. The New Westminster Police Service Major Crime Unit has taken conduct of the investigation and is continuing to follow up all leads.