Woman assaulted in Jefferson City Hy-Vee bathroom; man charged

JEFFERSON CITY, Mo. (KMIZ)

Customers stopped a domestic assault in progress in a bathroom at the Jefferson City Hy-Vee store Saturday, according to court documents.

The assault took place when Jeremie M. McClain, 33, of Jefferson City, followed a woman into the bathroom and assaulted her after she tried to end their relationship, a probable cause statement says. McClain verbally abused the woman and choked her, the statement says.

The victim got out when customers intervened, according to the statement. A juvenile was in a nearby bathroom stall during the assault, the statement says.

McClain denied choking the victim and said the confrontation was just an argument, according to documents. However, police say the victim had marks on her neck.

Prosecutors charged McClain on Saturday with first-degree domestic assault. He remained in the Cole County Jail on Monday with no bond.