An incident that began as a domestic violence situation in Southwest Louisville escalated into a SWAT standoff early Saturday morning when police allege a man assaulted the mother of his child and then barricaded himself inside a home with their infant.
Rick Poore, 33, was arrested by Louisville Metro Police on charges of first-degree strangulation (domestic violence-related), intimidating a participant in the legal process, and fourth-degree assault.
According to the police citations, officers were sent to a home on Parkridge Trace after reports of a domestic situation. When officers arrived, a neighbor said they witnessed a man beating a woman outside the residence.
Police met with the victim nearby. She confirmed that she and Poore had an argument over their 10-week-old daughter contracting COVID-19. During the altercation, Poore slapped the victim on the porch outside the home, then followed her inside, grabbed her hair, slapped and punched her multiple times, and choked her for 10-15 seconds.
The victim told police she was struggling to breathe but did not lose consciousness.
The victim called for her two juvenile children to call police, but Poore ordered them to remain downstairs, then took her phone and told her she was not allowed to make any calls.
The victim escaped with her young daughter and ran into the front yard, where Poore chased her, pushed her to the ground, then began punching and dragging her across the concrete.
A neighbor intervened and allowed the victim and her children into her vehicle to escape.
When officers attempted to contact Poore, he refused to cooperate and falsely claimed he was not at the residence. Family members then informed police that Poore was on FaceTime with them inside the home with the infant daughter.
LMPD’s SWAT team and Hostage Negotiation Team were called to the scene. During the standoff, Poore allegedly told family members via FaceTime that he was aware of the police at the home, and said, “I’m going to make them kill me.”
After hours of negotiations, Poore called an officer claiming he had “just woken up” and wanted to know what was happening outside. Negotiators coaxed Poore out of the home successfully, and he was taken into custody without further incident.
If you or someone you know is experiencing domestic violence, help is available:
National Domestic Violence Hotline: Call 1-800-799-SAFE (7233) or text “START” to 88788 for free, confidential support 24/7.
The Center for Women and Families (Louisville/Southern Indiana): Call the 24/7 toll-free crisis line at 1-844-BE-SAFE-1 (1-844-237-2331).
Metro 311: Dial 311 in Louisville for local social services and shelter information.
If you are in immediate danger, please dial 911.
Source: WAVE
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