14-year-old’s actions justified in deadly stabbing of man who was choking woman, police say

SIOUX CITY, Iowa (KTIV/Gray News) - A teenager’s actions were justified in a deadly stabbing that stemmed from domestic violence in March, according to police.

According to the Sioux City Police Department, a 14-year-old stabbed a man at home on March 22.

Authorities said they will not be charging the teen because the teen’s actions were justified.

According to police, officers were called to a home for a domestic disturbance and stabbing. When they arrived, they found 53-year-old Timothy Chark with a single stab wound in his back.

Chark was taken to the hospital, where he died from his injuries.

“The investigation revealed that the incident stemmed from a domestic violence situation involving Chark and his live-in girlfriend, Marshawna Mundine,” police said.

According to witnesses and evidence gathered by investigators, Chark and Mundine were fighting.

“During the incident, Chark had his hands around Mundine’s neck, restricting her ability to breathe, while she cried out for help,” police said. “A 14-year-old juvenile, who was present in the home, witnessed the assault. In response to Mundine’s pleas for assistance and fearing for her safety, the juvenile retrieved a kitchen knife from a counter and stabbed Chark once in the back.”

Police said the teen’s actions were meant to stop the assault, and after it happened, the teen called 911 and cooperated with police.

Police said the teen’s actions were “legally justified.”

“Iowa law permits the use of reasonable force to protect oneself or others from imminent harm, and the juvenile’s actions were deemed proportionate to the threat observed,” police said.

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