Joplin man charged with assault after stabbing at Watered Gardens

A bond review hearing is scheduled for 8:30 a.m. February 18 for a homeless Joplin man who was charged with first-degree assault and armed criminal action following a stabbing Friday at Watered Gardens, 531 S. Kentucky Avenue.

Bryan K. Gutierrez (DOB 1970) pleaded not guilty today during a video arraignment in Jasper County Circuit Court. 

From the probable cause statement:

While on routine patrol I was flagged down at 531 S. Kentucky Avenue, Joplin, Jasper County MO by Steven Martin who appeared to be bleeding from the chest after I observed him and Bryan Gutierrez verbally arguing.

Martin was walking toward Gutierrez before waving me in his direction. Gutierrez began walking away from the scene and continued to do so until he reached the east side of the parking lot. He eventually complied with officers after multiple commands.

Two knives were located in Gutierrez' right hand while he was detained. The knives had black sheaths. One of the knives, which had a green handle and was approximately two inches wide, had streaked blood on it consistent with an attempt to remove the blood. After Gutierrez was read his Miranda rights, he stated he and Martin had been in an altercation, but denied stabbing him.

I spoke to {two witnesses} both who arrived just as I did. They both observed Gutierrez backing away form Martin with a knife in his hand.

I spoke with Martin who stated he was standing outside Watered Gardens when Gutierrez walked up to him with two knives, both of which were slightly curved and had black sheaths. Gutierrez then stabbed with without saying anything.

According to the probable cause statement, the stabbing was captured on video footage collected from Watered Gardens.