Delaware man wields sword in domestic dispute

A Wilmington man, accused of threatening his girlfriend with a samurai sword, is in custody now, following his arrest Thursday afternoon.

New Castle County Police responded to a domestic call in the community of Boulder Brook in Wilmington, where they apprehended 29-year-old William Johnson.  

When officers arrived, the 18 year old female victim said Johnson threatened her twice, once with a large butcher knife and then as he was holding a sword. The victim said Johnson also choked her, threatened to hurt her family and threw her cat across the room. Officers say the victim eventually escaped and was able to call 911 from a nearby home. A search warrant at the residence turned up both weapons.

Johnson has been charged with aggravated menacing, strangulation, cruelty to animals and weapon-related offenses. Johnson, who is a convicted felon, is prohibited from possessing weapons.

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The suspect is being detained at the Howard Young Correctional Institute and has been ordered to stay away from the victim.

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