JOPLIN, Mo. – It was about 8:00 PM Sunday evening that Joplin Fire Department and METS ambulance were dispatched to the east alley behind 801 South Maiden Lane, Dave’s Mini Mart, regarding a man who was stabbed.
Cpl. Michael Gauss of the Joplin Police Department tells us tonight that a man, the suspect, had entered the store at 8th and Maiden Lane and had started collecting items and acting like he was going to steal them. Patrons in the store attempted to confront him, even offering to purchase them for him.
The suspect then left the store on foot, not paying for items.
A regular patron of the store then went outside, following the suspect shoplifter. That good Samaritan patron confronted the suspect. He then suffered a life-threatening stab wound to the abdomen.
MONDAY UPDATE: Upon arrival police discovered a 55-year-old regular store patron stabbed in the abdomen. He had attempted to stop a larceny suspect identified as James Turnbull (39) of Joplin, MO. Turnbull stabbed the good Samaritan patron then fled the scene. Turnbull was located in the area of 7th St. & Maiden Lane by patrol officers, just north of the former Radio Shack. Turnbull was charged with Assault 1st Degree, Armed Criminal Action, and Resisting Arrest.
“We just happened to have officers in the area who responded quickly. A male was located just to the north of the former Radio Shack building and taken into custody,” He has already been identified by patrons inside the store.
Joplin Police are not looking for anyone else related to tonight’s stabbing due to the positive identification of the suspect.
The good Samaritan patron was transported Priority One to an area hospital with a life-threatening stab wound to the abdomen.
More information Monday on who that suspect is and possible charges.
