A Florida man was arrested after he allegedly stabbed and choked his pregnant girlfriend as she curled up into a ball to protect her unborn child.
D’Andre Burgess has been charged with one count of first-degree attempted premeditated murder, one count of aggravated battery on a pregnant victim and one count of domestic battery by strangulation following the alleged Saturday, October 3, attack.
West Palm Beach police responded to a residence at 4:52 p.m. on October 3 after receiving a report of a stabbing. Burgess’ mother met with officers outside of the home when they arrived, and she began to explain what happened. The victim then exited the residence “covered in blood,” according to a probable cause affidavit obtained by Law & Crime.
Burgess’ mother told police that her son and his girlfriend were visiting their 1-year-old child at the time of the incident. Following the visit, the couple was standing outside when the victim allegedly warned the mother that Burgess, 31, had a knife.
“[The mother] observed Burgess attack [the victim] by hitting her and grabbing her,” the affidavit stated. “During the attack, [the mother] observed blood on [the victim] and noticed Burgess holding a knife. [The victim] fell to the ground where Burgess got on top of her.”
The mother said she was unable to pull Burgess off of his girlfriend, but she managed to grab the knife from him and the victim was able to run into the residence.
Burgess allegedly followed the victim inside, got on top of her and continued to hit her. Burgess’ mother tried to intervene again, but was unable to get him off of the girlfriend and she called the police.
Once authorities arrived, the victim was rushed to St. Mary’s Hospital under a trauma alert.
She later spoke to officers at the hospital and said that Burgess “asked to have a real conversation with her” before the attack. Burgess then allegedly moved his clothing and revealed that there was a knife tucked into his waistband and he threatened her.
“Burgess advised the victim that they were both going to die or he was going to do one hundred years in jail,” the affidavit stated.
The woman said she was scared and moved closer to the door in hopes that Burgess’ mother would hear them. She then tried to grab the knife, but Burgess allegedly pulled it away when his mother came outside to check on them.
“[The victim] yelled to [the mother] that Burgess had a knife and was trying to kill her,” the affidavit said. “At that point, Burgess pulled the knife from the waistband and began to stab [the victim]. [She] dropped to the ground and curled in a ball to protect her unborn child.”
After the victim escaped inside the home, she said that Burgess followed her and attacked her a second time. He allegedly grabbed her by the neck and moved her to the couch before he got on top of her and started to strangle her.
The victim said that his grasp was so tight that she was “unable to talk and was gasping for air,” per the affidavit. She then “started to black out just as Burgess let go of her neck.”
The victim’s current condition isn’t known, but police said she suffered lacerations to her neck, hand, breast and kneecap.
Burgess was booked into the Palm Beach County Jail and he is being held without bond.
It is not currently clear if Burgess has entered a plea or retained legal counsel following his arrest. The West Palm Beach Police Department did not immediately respond to Us’ request for comment regarding updates in the case.
