National Guardsman Mourned After Nightclub Stabbing

HARFORD COUNTY, MD — The governor is among those expressing his condolences after a National Guardsman from Joppa was killed outside Excape Nightclub over the weekend.

David Collins, 32, was stabbed to death outside the club, reportedly over a door.

"The First Lady and I ask all Marylanders to join us in sending our heartfelt prayers to David’s family, friends, and to all those who loved him," Maryland Gov. Larry Hogan said.

For more than nine years, Collins had served the Maryland National Guard. He was assigned to the Charlie Company 1st Battalion of the 175th Infantry Regiment as an Infantryman, according to the Maryland National Guard, which reported he also served as a paratrooper and scout.

"Those who worked with David knew him as a charismatic soldier with a wealth of knowledge," according to a statement from the Maryland National Guard. "He was always prepared to teach."

Police said that Collins had been leaving Excape Nightclub in Baltimore County early Saturday morning when he was stabbed.

As Collins was exiting the establishment on Pulaski Highway, the door hit another man, who then pulled out a knife, according to WBAL.

Related: Two Joppa Men IDed As Those Involved In Deadly Nightclub Fight

Joshua David Edwards, 28, of the 200 block of Kershaw Court in Joppa, is being held without bail at the Baltimore County Detention Center on a first-degree murder charge.

Edwards said he pulled the knife to scare the other man, and his own finger was severed in the struggle that ensued, because Collins began fighting him, WBAL reported.

Collins leaves behind his fiancée, three children and one child on the way, according to the GoFundMe page set up for Collins.

"He was fearless, full of energy and loved life," the page says. "All funds raised will be donated to his family and to assist in any costs associated with his funeral."

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