A man died early Thursday in a stabbing at Lincoln Terrace Apartments, but the man who wielded the knife will not be charged because he was defending himself in his home, Lexington police said.

The dead man's name has not been released, and police would not identify the man who they say was attacked in his apartment.

The stabbing was reported at 1:12 a.m. Thursday at the Lincoln Terrace Apartments off Newtown Pike, Lexington Police Lt. Mark Brand said.

The two men knew each other and had a previous dispute, police spokeswoman Sherelle Roberts said.

The resident defended himself with a knife after the other man forced his way into the apartment, Roberts said.

Investigators interviewed the resident about the stabbing, and he will not be charged, Roberts said.

The attacker, who was stabbed in his chest and back, was pronounced dead at University of Kentucky Chandler Hospital, police said.

Under a Kentucky law sometimes known as a "castle doctrine" statute, the use of deadly physical force on another person is justifiable when that person is thought to be "committing or attempting to commit a burglary, robbery, or other felony involving the use of force."

The state law is Kentucky Revised Statute 503.080, Roberts said.

Greg Kocher: (859) 231-3305.Twitter: @HLpublicsafety.