A man is accused of trying to stab and kill another man in Tarkio.

Steven R. Jones, 38 of Rock Port is charged in Atchison County, Mo. with felonies for second-degree attempted murder, first-degree assault, first-degree burglary, and armed criminal action and a misdemeanor for second-degree property damage.

According to court documents, on Saturday officers responded to a home on Elm Street in Tarkio in reference to Jones attempting to stab Jake McRaven.

“McRaven found Jones on the floor of the kitchen with Loretta Mills-Gayler,” said Officer Adam Stanton with the Atchison County Sheriff’s Office. “McRaven believed that Jones was choking Mills-Gayler.  McRaven tackled Jones and pinned him to the floor.  Mills-Gayler fled the house through the front door.”

Stanton said after McRaven believed Jones had calmed down he allegedly let him up.

“Jones continued to try fighting McRaven.  McRaven again tackled Jones and pinned him attempting to calm him.  When McRaven released Jones the 2nd time, Jones grabbed a large bread knife and chased McRaven out the front door,” Stanton said. “McRaven stopped in the backyard of the residence.  Jones attempted to stab McRaven with the knife using an overhead plunging motion towards McRaven’s chest.”

McRaven allegedly blocked the strike and suffered a cut to his forearm during the block.  He subsequently hit Jones in the forehead knocking him down.  McRaven then ran into his house located nearby and through the back door and McRaven’s girlfriend locked the front door.

“Jones went to the front door and kicked it in,” Stanton said. “Jones entered into the dining room area and told McRaven he was going to kill him, while still brandishing the knife.”

Jones allegedly placed the knife on the dining room table and went onto the front porch when he heard McRaven’s girlfriend call 911.

Jones is being held on $500,000 bail.  An arraignment is set for Aug. 18.