A Dorchester man was held without bail today at his arraignment on a murder charge for allegedly stabbing an acquaintance to death after an argument that erupted inside a Roxbury liquor store, Suffolk County District Attorney Daniel F. Conley said.

TAJUAN HOLLOMAN (D.O.B. 5/7/71) was formally charged today with the murder of 30-year-old Thomas Whitley on Dearborn Street on the evening of Nov. 6. Whitley, a Roxbury resident, died of his injuries at Boston Medical Center a short time later; Holloman surrendered to Boston Police homicide detectives yesterday amid an ongoing investigation and was placed under arrest.

Assistant District Attorney David Deakin told Roxbury District Court Judge David Poole that Holloman and Whitley crossed paths apparently by chance inside the Dearborn Liquor Store just before 8:00 that evening. The two knew each other prior to the incident.

While inside the store, Deakin said, the two became involved in a verbal altercation that soon turned physical. Holloman suffered an injury in the course of that conflict, but it was not life-threatening.

Holloman left the store, Deakin said, but waited and paced outside while Whitley and a younger relative remained inside. When those two finished shopping and left the store, prosecutors allege, Holloman stabbed Whitley, causing life-threatening injuries. He collapsed a short distance away. Holloman allegedly fled the scene on foot.

Based on witness statements, surveillance imagery, and photo arrays conducted by Boston Police, investigators began looking for Holloman. Last night, he agreed to an interview at Boston Police headquarters. After that interview, he was taken into custody and charged with Whitley’s homicide.

Jennifer Sears is the DA’s assigned victim-witness advocate. Holloman is represented by attorney James Coviello. He will return to court on Jan. 5.