Person detained in stabbing determined to have been acting in self defense

A person taken into custody Tuesday, May 2, in relation to a stabbing in Cape Girardeau will not face charges in the incident as authorities determined the person was acting in self-defense.

A social media post from Cape Girardeau Police Department said witness accounts and surveillance camera video of the incident led to the decision.

“Officers interviewed multiple witnesses and viewed the video of the altercation. This information was then provided to the Cape Girardeau County Prosecuting Attorney’s Office for a determination of whether criminal charges were warranted. Based on the evidence, the Prosecutor’s Office has determined that this altercation led to a lawful use of self-defense and has declined to file charges at this time. The detained individual has been released based on this determination,” the post states.

The incident occurred shortly before 1 p.m. near the intersection of William Street and Park Avenue. An officer on routine patrol saw the end of the incident and detained the person at the scene.

The person who sustained the injury to their neck was taken to a local hospital for treatment.