Stabbing Incident in Excelsior Estates Results in Multiple Felony Charges

Ray County, MO — On September 12, 2023, at approximately 2:24 a.m., law enforcement officers were dispatched to a residence in Ray County in the 16000 block of Elm Street of Excelsior Estates, Missouri, following a report of a stabbing incident. Upon arrival, a victim was located and transported to Liberty Hospital with a stab wound to the chest. The victim is reportedly in stable condition after undergoing surgery for his injuries.

According to a probable cause report filed by the Ray County Sheriff’s Department, the victim and his brother had gone to the residence to remove squatters, as requested by the victim’s mother-in-law.

The victim’s brother informed deputies that they had entered the house to tell two men to leave. One man, identified later as “Geo,” complied immediately. However, the second man, Brandonlee Carithers, allegedly engaged in a physical altercation that ended with the stabbing.

During a search for Carithers, he called 911 and informed dispatch that he was on a street near the residence and that he was also injured. When located, Carithers was carrying a knife, a hammer, and a hoodie and shirt containing blood, all seized as evidence.

Carithers told officers he was woken by the victim and his brother, who were “carrying a hammer and a knife.” He stated that he had been hit on the head by a hammer after putting on his glasses, which he had been looking for when initially woken up. Officers observed a laceration on the top of Carithers’ head, and EMS was requested to evaluate him.

After being read his Miranda Rights, Carithers continued speaking. When questioned about the stabbing, Carithers denied involvement. Following his evaluation at Excelsior Springs Hospital, he was transported to Ray County Jail.

Later that day, Carithers was officially charged with assault in the first degree, a class A felony, for allegedly stabbing the victim. If convicted a class A felony carries a sentence ranging from ten to thirty years or life imprisonment with no eligibility for parole until eighty-five percent of the sentence is served. Additionally, Carithers faces a class D felony charge of assault in the second degree for attempting to cause physical injury with a deadly weapon. The range of punishment for this charge includes a term of years not less than one year and not to exceed seven years or a special term, not to exceed one year in county jail, a fine up to $10,000, or both. Lastly, Carithers is also charged with trespass in the second degree, which relates to entering unlawfully upon real property owned by the victim.