A West Palm Beach man is facing attempted murder and other felony charges after police say he attacked his six-month-pregnant girlfriend with a knife and later choked her during a visit involving their young child.
D’Andre Burgess, 31, was arrested following the reported attack at a home on Lincoln Road on Saturday, Oct. 3. He is charged with first-degree attempted premeditated murder, aggravated battery on a pregnant victim and domestic battery by strangulation.
According to the probable cause affidavit, West Palm Beach police were called to the residence around 4:52 p.m. after receiving a report of a stabbing. When officers arrived, Burgess’ mother was outside speaking with them. The alleged victim then came out of the home covered in blood and was taken to St. Mary’s Hospital under a trauma alert.
Police say attack began during visit with their child
Investigators said Burgess and the woman had gone to the residence to visit their 1-year-old child. After the visit, the two were outside when the woman allegedly warned Burgess’ mother that he had a knife.
Police said the mother saw Burgess strike and grab the woman before she fell to the ground. According to the affidavit, Burgess got on top of her while holding the knife.
The mother reportedly tried to pull him away and eventually managed to take the knife. That gave the woman an opportunity to get inside the house, but police say Burgess followed her.
The woman later told investigators that she had been eating lunch when Burgess asked to have a serious conversation with her. She said he then exposed a knife that had been tucked into his waistband and made a threatening statement about both of them dying or him spending 100 years in prison.
As Burgess’ mother came outside, the woman tried to alert her to what was happening. Investigators say Burgess then pulled the knife from his waistband and began stabbing the woman.
Police said the woman fell to the ground and curled herself into a ball in an attempt to shield her unborn child.
Woman allegedly attacked again inside home
After Burgess’ mother was able to get the knife away from him, the woman ran inside the residence, according to investigators.
Police allege Burgess followed her and continued the assault. The affidavit says he grabbed her by the neck and pressed her against a couch before wrapping both hands around her throat.
The woman told police that she could not speak and was gasping for air. She said she began to lose consciousness before Burgess released his grip.
Once she realized he had left, she walked outside and encountered officers who had already arrived at the property.
Police said the woman suffered cuts to her neck, hand, breast and kneecap. Her current medical condition has not been publicly detailed in the latest reports.
Burgess remains jailed as case moves forward
Burgess was booked into the Palm Beach County Jail and remains held without bond, according to jail and court records cited in reports about the case.
The arrest has also drawn attention because recent reporting indicates Burgess had previously faced an arrest connected to an alleged attack involving the same woman. That earlier history is part of the developing background of the case, although the current charges remain allegations and any prior accusations do not establish guilt in this case.
Burgess is scheduled for an initial case conference on Dec. 3.
The allegations against him have not been proven in court. Burgess is presumed innocent unless and until he is found guilty through the legal process.
