A man trying to protect a woman being battered had his life threatened while a knife was held to his neck, Citrus County deputies say.
Brian Ward, 40, of Inverness, is now charged with domestic battery and aggravated assault with a deadly weapon.
According to deputies, Ward, a woman and another man were sitting in a parked car at the Turner Camp boat ramp on Wednesday night when they began arguing.
An arrest affidavit states Ward was in the driver's seat and while arguing, he slammed the woman's head into the passenger side window and attempted choking her.
That's when the man sitting in the backseat began to defend the woman. He reportedly grabbed Ward's arms and was able to stop him from choking her. The woman was able to get out of the car and began running for help, deputies say.
Ward tried running after the woman, deputies noted.
The man in the back was able to stop Ward from running, an arrest affidavit states.
Ward then pushed the man and held a knife to his neck, deputies say.
Ward reportedly threatened the man's life.
The man was able to escape.
Deputies say when they went to Ward's home, he took off running into a wooded area near his backyard.
Ward was arrested when he returned home.
According to deputies, all three involved in the ordeal had been drinking alcohol for most of the night.
Ward is being held without bond.
