Argument between husband and girlfriend preceded stabbing in downtown Joplin

September 11 – Police arrested an 18-year-old Joplin man on assault charges Tuesday night for allegedly stabbing a family member of his girlfriend in downtown Joplin.

Deandre T. Fazio was taken into custody following a disturbance at 10:58 p.m. in the Salvation Army parking lot at 320 E. Eighth St.

Police Capt. William Davis said officers called to the scene of a reported collision between a car and a pedestrian determined it was not an accident, but that a stabbing had instead occurred. Davis said Fazio allegedly got into an argument with his girlfriend and a family member of hers was called to the scene to care for their child.

The family member, Chad Minor, 43, was stabbed in the abdomen shortly after arriving, Davis said. Minor fled on foot and flagged down a driver who took him to a local hospital, where he was reportedly in stable condition Wednesday.

After the stabbing and shortly before the police arrived, Fazio is said to have jumped onto the hood and windshield of his girlfriend's vehicle, causing considerable damage.

He was charged with first-degree assault, first-degree criminal damage and endangering a child, but no charges had been filed as of late Wednesday afternoon.