Man arrested after allegedly choking, pointing gun at woman over child

Published 12:00 am Tuesday, March 26, 2024

SALISBURY — A man has been arrested after police said he got angry at the mother of his child and pointed a gun at her.

Kenny Ray Chappell, 41, was charged with felony assault by strangulation and assault by pointing a gun. Chappell was also charged as a fugitive from justice on warrants from South Carolina.

The incident occurred after the victim dropped the child off with Chappell on Saturday, according to a spokesperson for the Salisbury Police Department. At some point after the child was dropped off, Chappell allegedly called the victim and told her to come take the child back, however the victim was busy and was unable to go to his home immediately.

When the victim arrived at the home, Chappell became angry and argued with her about her not picking up the child immediately, said the spokesperson. Eventually, he allegedly took out a gun and pointed it at the victim and another child she was holding in her arms. Chappell then got behind the victim and began choking her until she felt like she could not breathe and thought she was going to pass out, according to the spokesperson.

The victim then was able to escape Chappell and went home before calling the police department and reporting the assault. Officers responded to the home, where they reportedly spoke with her about the assault and noticed that she had signs of the assault on her person.

Chappell was arrested on Monday and placed in the Rowan County Detention Center. He was given a $50,000 bond on the fugitive from justice charge, however he was denied bond on the other charges because of the domestic nature of the alleged crimes.