O’FALLON, Mo. – An undocumented man was arrested after stabbing two people inside a laundromat in O’Fallon, MO, Tuesday afternoon, according to police.
Around 2:15 p.m., Jose Barrera allegedly had an exchange with another customer at Highlander Laundry on Sonderen Street before punching them. When the victim attempted to run away, Barrera followed them into the parking lot, stabbing them in the back, as witnesses stated in a release.
Another person tried to intervene and help the first victim, but Barrera also stabbed them in the back.
Officers arrived on scene and were able to provide aid to both victims and release a description of the suspect. A traffic stop was made based on the descriptions, leading to the arrest of Barrera. The pocketknife used in the assault was recovered.
Both victims were transported to area hospitals with non-life-threatening injuries.
“Homeland Security issued a detainer on Jose Barrera, recognizing him as an undocumented immigrant who entered the United States through Eagle Pass, TX, in 2021,” a release from O’Fallon Police said.
Barrera is being held on a $500,000 bond on four total charges, including two counts of first-degree assault and two counts of armed criminal action.
