HYATTSVILLE, Md. (CBSDC) — A Hyattsville man is facing attempted murder charges for stabbing a prostitute he didn’t know was actually a man.

Twenty-year-old Christian Ariel Romero, of the 1800 block of Avalon Place, solicited a 41-year-old prostitute at the Cococabana Bar And Grill on University Boulevard early Sunday morning, police say.

The pair drove to the prostitute’s home where they engaged in a sex act.

Following the sex act, the two went outside to smoke cigarettes. Shortly thereafter, Romero discovered the prostitute was actually a man and stabbed him in the back several times before fleeing the scene.

The victim was transported to a local hospital with non-life-threatening injuries after police arrived at the scene around 6:15 a.m.

Police say a remorseful Romero returned to the home to apologize for stabbing the man around 3:15 p.m. He was then taken into custody and confessed to officers.

Romero has been charged with attempted first degree murder, attempted second degree murder, first degree assault, second degree assault, reckless endangerment and theft.