Man charged with seven felonies after Mexico bar stabbing

COLUMBIA, Mo. (KMIZ)

An Audrain County man was charged over the weekend with seven felonies, including first-degree assault, after three people were injured with a knife in a bar fight.

Robert H. LeCoque, is accused of stabbing three people early Sunday after climbing onto a stage where a band was performing in a bar, according to a probable cause statement. The statement doesn't identify the bar, but a Mexico Department of Public Safety news release stated the bar was in the 100 block of South Jefferson Street.

Police Chief Brice Mesko declined to disclose the name of the business. The owners have been cooperating with the investigation, Mesko said.

LeCoque was charged with three counts apiece of first-degree assault and armed criminal action and a single count of unlawful use of a weapon. His first court appearance was scheduled for Tuesday morning.

One victim suffered two stab wounds to the chest and two to other areas of the body, the statement says. The victim suffered internal bleeding and needed emergency surgery.

The two other victims had knife wounds to their hands and legs. All of the victims told police that LeCoque started a fight with them, according to the statement.

Multiple witnesses corroborated the victims' story, the statement says. Officers later found the knife behind a dumpster outside the bar, and surveillance video showed the stabbing, according to the statement.

LeCoque reportedly contacted the Audrain County Justice Center and reported he had been in a fight at the bar and accidentally stabbed his friend. Police found him about a mile from the bar.

LeCoque allegedly told police that he swung the knife in self-defense.

He remained in the Audrain County Jail without bond on Monday.