Possible stabbing under investigation in MP

Mt. Pleasant Police are investigating a possible stabbing following a fight in the parking lot of Murphy USA on Thursday.

Two suspects were arrested and transported to the Henry County Jail after police received a report of a fight between two women, with one person possibly being stabbed in the parking lot of Murphy USA at 907 E. Baker Street in Mt. Pleasant on Thursday, April 4, at 3:35 p.m.

After an investigation, Gabriel Ware, 28, of Mt. Pleasant, was arrested and charged with willful injury, a Class C felony. A second suspect, Chloe McClaran, was placed under arrest for disorderly conduct, a simple misdemeanor. Both suspects were transported to the Henry County Jail.

Mt. Pleasant Police Chief Lyle Murray said one of the women suffered injuries 'consistent with being struck with an object.”

Murray said whether or not someone had been stabbed still is under investigation, but noted it was an isolated incident and the public is not at risk. Ware and McClaran each claimed the other woman instigated the fight, Murray said.

The Henry County Sheriff's Office and Iowa State Patrol assisted in the investigation.

A criminal charge is merely an accusation and a defendant is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty.