An 18-year-old male has been arrested for stabbing another teen in Suffolk County late Wednesday night.

Richard Torres, of Middle Island, was involved in an altercation with the 19-year-old victim prior to the attack, according to police.

The incident happened in a parking lot at 949 Middle Country Road in Selden around 11 p.m.

Suffolk police tell News 12 a friend drove the victim the hospital, where he is in serious but stable condition.

Torres fled the scene in a 2015 Nissan sedan, but was located by officers a short time later in Coram.

Torres pleaded not guilty Thursday to assault.

His attorney called the incident “a very clear-cut case of self-defense,” saying Torres had just left work at the restaurant when he was approached by three men wearing ski masks.

The attorney said Torres was punched, placed in a chokehold and threatened with a gun.

Chick-fil-A said in a statement to News 12 that it is aware of the incident and is working with police but is not commenting further during the ongoing investigation.

Detectives are asking anyone with information about the stabbing to call the Sixth Squad at 631-854-8652.