An assailant hurled an anti-gay slur at a stranger and stabbed him in the back at the Staten Island Ferry Terminal — before socking another man who intervened Sunday night, according to authorities and police sources.
Eric Shields, 47, of Norfolk, Va., was arguing with a 20-year-old man inside the St. George Ferry Terminal around 8:45 p.m. when he stabbed him in the back, cops said.
At some point during the dispute, Shields called his victim a “f—-t,” police sources said.
A 30-year-old man attempted to intervene — but Shields allegedly punched him in the face, according to cops.
Both victims were taken to Richmond University Medical Center with non-life-threatening injuries.
Shields was charged with second-degree assault, criminal possession of a weapon, menacing and harassment, cops said.
He has nine prior arrests in the city, according to police.
The incident came at the end of a day of Pride celebrations in Manhattan.