Authorities have accused a West Liberty man of stabbing a person at Brothers Bar.

Jose Mata-Hernandez, 24, was charged March 2 with willful injury causing serious injury and going armed with intent.

According to an Iowa City police complaint, officers responded to Mercy Hospital after receiving a report of a stabbing that had taken place at Brothers Bar. The accuser reported of being involved in a verbal argument with Mata-Hernandez in the men’s restroom in the bar, the complaint said.

When the man’s back was turned, Mata-Hernandez pulled a knife and stabbed him in the arm, the complaint said.

During their investigation, officers developed a suspect through witnesses and video from the bar, They located Mata-Hernandez a short time later on the Pedestrian Mall.

Mata-Hernandez allegedly admitted to being in an argument with the man but denied stabbing him. Officers located a knife with blood on it from Mata-Hernandez’s sister who was in the bathroom during the stabbing, the complaint said.

Willful injury causing serious injury is a Class-C felony. Going armed with intent is a Class-D felony.

— by Alison Keim