EASLEY — A 15-year-old Easley teen was charged with murder Thursday, according to county authorities.

The teen is accused of stabbing his step-father, Thomas Alexander Mikolay, 34, at his home Monday afternoon.

According to coroner Kandy Kelley, Mikolay died from a stab wound to the neck at Greenville Memorial Hospital Wednesday evening.

The name of the teen is being withheld because of his age.

The teen told police that he stabbed his step-father in self defense, according to the incident report.

Both the teen and a witness told police they were playing cards with Mikolay at the home at 105 Carthage Drive, Easley, when the incident occurred, the report stated.

The teen told police that Mikolay threatened to kill him and pushed him down, the report stated.

He said that when he got up, his step-father came at him again, and that was when the teen said he pulled a knife from his pocket and stabbed Mikolay, according to the report.

Afterward, the teen went outside and called 911, the report stated.

According to the report, the witness verified the teen’s story about what happened.

Police said that when they arrived at the scene, they found the teen in the front yard with blood splattered on his face and arms, the report stated.

They said they found Mikolay in the back bedroom with a severe laceration to his neck and to his forearm, according the report.

One deputy reported that he saw what appeared to be an 8-inch knife sticking out of the victim’s shoulder.

Mikolay was transported to Greenville Memorial Hospital where he later died.

The teen was taken into custody and transported to the Liberty Police Department Juvenile Facility.

He was charged with murder following Mikolay’s death.