Randolph County man accused of pointing gun at woman, holding her against her will

COLUMBIA, Mo. (KMIZ)

A Huntsville man was charged on Monday after he allegedly pointed a gun at a woman on Saturday at his residence and refused to let her leave.

Ethan Cruse, 18, was charged with second-degree kidnapping, armed criminal action, unlawful use of a weapon and third-degree domestic assault.

He pleaded not guilty during an arraignment on Monday and is being held on a no-bond warrant, though his information did not appear in the Randolph County Jail’s online records. A bond hearing is scheduled for 1:30 p.m. Monday, Aug. 17.

The probable cause statement says the victim was at her mother’s residence and Cruse started arguing with her about getting McDonald’s. The pair went into Cruse’s vehicle and Cruse refused to take the victim back to her mother’s residence after she asked during the argument, the statement says.

Cruse allegedly had scratched and torn the victim’s shirt while trying to keep her from leaving the vehicle when they arrived at his residence before the pair went into the home, the statement says. Cruse allegedly pointed a gun at the woman’s head, demanded she not speak to anyone and took her cellphone, the statement says.

Cruse took a shower, which is when the victim hid his gun and messaged a friend for help, the statement says. Cruse allegedly threated to “shoot anyone who attempted to help” the victim, court documents say.

Law enforcement arrived and Cruse shoved the victim while the victim tried to leave and he was looking for his handgun, the statement says. Cruse allegedly then threatened to use an AR-15 or crossbow, court documents allege. He was eventually arrested by deputies.