Man Charged With Assaulting Woman With Metal Bar

Chance DeCoteau accused of two separate assaults against the same victim in Moorhead

Mar. 13, 2026 at 4:51pm

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A 45-year-old man from Walcott, North Dakota has been charged with assaulting a woman on two separate occasions, including one incident where he allegedly hit her in the face with a metal bar attached to a bicycle seat.

Why it matters

Domestic violence and repeat offenses are ongoing issues that communities continue to grapple with, highlighting the need for stronger intervention, support services, and accountability measures to protect victims and prevent further harm.

The details

According to authorities, Chance DeCoteau is accused of assaulting the woman at her apartment in Moorhead on March 7th, where he allegedly hit her in the face with a metal bar. Four days later, DeCoteau is accused of slapping the same woman, causing her to seek treatment at the Sanford ER. DeCoteau has a prior conviction for domestic assault from September 2019 and a misdemeanor assault conviction from February 2018.

  • The first alleged assault occurred on March 7, 2026.
  • The second alleged assault occurred on March 11, 2026.

The players

Chance DeCoteau

A 45-year-old man from Walcott, North Dakota who has been charged with two counts of assaulting the same woman.

The Victim

A woman who was allegedly assaulted by Chance DeCoteau on two separate occasions in March 2026.

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What’s next

The case is currently under investigation by local authorities, who will determine whether to file additional charges against DeCoteau given his history of prior violent offenses.

The takeaway

This incident underscores the ongoing challenge communities face in addressing domestic violence and protecting victims, especially when perpetrators have a history of repeat offenses. Stronger intervention, support services, and accountability measures are needed to prevent such cycles of abuse.