MARBLEHEAD (CBS) ? A Marblehead man is reportedly facing charges over an ax attack that sent his roommate to the hospital.

The alleged attack erupted from a dispute over $300 in back rent, according to the report in The Salem News.

The report says that Michael Kelley, 52, admitted to police that he whacked his roommate in the wrist with the ax during the confrontation, saying that the victim had punched him, and hit him with a shovel and a guitar before he went after the man with the ax.

?If someone was pushing you around like that, you would do the same,? the Salem News cited Kelley as saying in the police report.

The victim, who was not identified, suffered injuries that were said to be non-life-threatening.

Police officers reportedly found the apartment on Washington Street covered in blood.

?The kitchen was covered in blood,? the report quoted Lt. Michael Everett as saying in his police report. ?Blood was covering the floors, walls, counter tops, ceilings and items within the kitchen.?

Kelley reportedly faces charges of aggravated assault and battery, assault with a dangerous weapon, assault and battery with a dangerous weapon and domestic assault.