PINELLAS PARK, Fla. — A man was arrested Saturday afternoon after he allegedly held two women hostage while armed with a rifle at a home in Pinellas Park.
Russell Rippey, 37, is charged with three counts of aggravated assault with a firearm after he allegedly held his 48-year-old girlfriend and a 74-year-old woman hostage with an AR-15 style rifle and several handguns, according to the Pinellas Park Police Department.
The department's SWAT team was called to handle the incident, which happened around 2:10 p.m. Saturday. Officers were able to coax Rippey out of the home before arresting him.
Through their investigation, officers learned the situation began as a domestic violence incident between Rippey and his girlfriend. The woman called one of her friends, a 62-year-old man, to come help her and the 74-year-old woman.
But, when he arrived, Rippey allegedly instructed him to enter the home while pointing a gun at him. While Rippey continued to assault his girlfriend, the man managed to get out of the house and call police.
Rippey has been arrested and is being taken to the Pinellas County Jail, according to the department. Officers said he will likely be facing more charges as the investigation continues.