MARINE CITY — A Macomb County man could face up to 20 years in prison after allegedly stabbing another man during the annual Raft Off gathering on Lake St. Clair last weekend.

Salem Asmar, 26, of Shelby Township was arraigned Monday in 72nd District Court in Marine City on one count of assault with intent to do great bodily harm less than murder.

The court set Asmar’s bond at $100,000 cash or surety. He is scheduled to return to court on the morning of August 19 for a probable cause conference.

The underlying charge ordinarily carries a maximum sentence of 10 years in prison and a $5,000 fine. However, because prosecutors charged Asmar as a third-offense habitual offender, he could face up to 20 years if convicted.

Authorities allege Asmar stabbed a 21-year-old man in the back following a disagreement during the August 8 gathering in Muskamoot Bay near Harsens Island.

The St. Clair County Sheriff’s Office did not release further information about the victim’s condition. Local reporting indicated that he was recovering from his injuries.

Asmar’s criminal record could complicate his legal position. He was previously convicted of carrying a concealed weapon and assault with intent to do great bodily harm less than murder in connection with a May 21, 2021 shooting at a shopping plaza near 14 Mile and Ryan Roads in Warren.

In that incident, police said Asmar shot a 38-year-old man twice following an argument and fled the scene. He was initially charged with assault with intent to murder, felony firearm and driving with a suspended license.

Asmar served less than two years in prison before being released in the summer of 2024.

He was also free on a $100,000 bond in a separate Oakland County felony case when the Raft Off stabbing allegedly occurred.

In that case, authorities accused Asmar of participating in a January break-in at a Hazel Park marijuana dispensary and crashing into a police vehicle while fleeing officers during a high-speed chase. He was scheduled to appear in court in the Oakland County case on the same day as his arraignment in Marine City.

During Monday’s arraignment, 72nd District Court Magistrate Dennis J. Rickert said Asmar’s release on bond in the other felony case was a significant concern.

“I see a couple things that are concerning to me,” Rickert said. “One is that he’s currently on bond in Oakland County for a fleeing and eluding. I’m concerned about the fact that he’s on bond and he picks up another major felony charge.”

Asmar is presumed innocent unless proven guilty.

Record attendance and multiple disturbances

The St. Clair County Sheriff’s Office said this year’s Raft Off drew a record number of boats and visitors to Muskamoot Bay.

“While many enjoyed the warm weather and company, others took the opportunity to overindulge and behave irresponsibly,” the Sheriff’s Office said.

Deputies responded to several fights throughout the day, including the altercation that resulted in the stabbing and Asmar’s arrest.

Authorities also reported that more than 50 people were left stranded in the bay after failing to return to shore with the groups that had brought them. Five people were reportedly found so intoxicated that they were at risk of drowning.

“We welcome all to come enjoy Lake St. Clair, but violence is not something that will be tolerated on the water,” St. Clair County Sheriff Mat King said. “Our Marine deputies take safety seriously, and those who are behaving irresponsibly or are breaking the law will face consequences.”

Raft Off attracts thousands of boats to Muskamoot Bay during the second weekend of August each year. Participants anchor their boats together, socialize, swim, drink alcohol and hold parties on the water throughout the day.

The free gathering has no official organizer, admission tickets or fixed schedule, complicating safety and law-enforcement preparations.

Over the past 25 years, the Muskamoot Bay gathering has grown to rival or surpass Jobbie Nooner, the well-known boat party held each June near the Macomb County shoreline. Jobbie Nooner traces its origins to the mid-1970s.

Raft Off and Jobbie Nooner are among the largest annual gatherings of private boats in Southeast Michigan.