MCCLELLAN, TX – A Valentine’s Day dispute in McClellan turned violent, leading to the arrest of a 57-year-old woman for allegedly attacking her husband with a large kitchen knife over a gift mix-up. Rita Tate was charged with aggravated assault with a deadly weapon after an altercation reportedly sparked by her displeasure with a necklace gift rather than a desired bracelet.
Waco Police responded around 10:20 p.m. to a 911 call reporting a “domestic disturbance” at a residence in the 5500 block of Black Horse Court, approximately 100 miles from Dallas. The call was marked as a “lovers quarrel,” noted in court documents.
The caller, identified as Tate’s husband, informed dispatchers that his wife had become violent and armed herself with a knife. Officers arrived to find her husband opening the door, seemingly shaken by the ongoing episode.
According to his statement, the trouble began earlier that day when Tate expressed disappointment in the Valentine’s gift she received. Her husband recounted how he bought a necklace, unknowingly disregarding her preference for a bracelet. Following this incident, he left for work in hopes the tension would dissipate.
Returning home around 4 p.m., he found the situation had escalated. Tate reportedly continued to berate him about the unwanted gift, and she eventually brandished a knife. He recorded the incident, capturing her allegedly pointing the knife and yelling, “come and get it,” which he presented as evidence to the police.
The affidavit described the husband’s fear for his safety during the confrontation. Police reviewed the footage, corroborating his account of Tate wielding the knife aggressively.
Rita Tate was taken into custody at the scene and processed at the McLennan County Jail. As of Thursday, jail records no longer listed her as an inmate, indicating her release or transfer.
The case underscores the potential for domestic disputes to escalate, particularly during occasions loaded with personal expectations and emotional significance.