Lincoln man arrested after threatening to kill girlfriend, police say

William Smith, 34, assaulted his girlfriend after she came home with her three children after midnight on Friday.

LINCOLN, Neb. (KLKN) – A man was arrested on Friday after he assaulted and threatened to kill his girlfriend in front of her children, Lincoln Police say.

According to Lincoln Police, a 21-year-old woman arrived back at her house near N. 27th and Holdredge Streets with her three children.  The boyfriend, 34-year-old William Smith, believed she was cheating and became violent.

Lincoln Police say Smith smashed the victim’s cellphone into her nose, threw her onto a bed and choked her until she lost consciousness.  He then threw her down the stairs and after held a knife to her neck and threatened to kill her.

The children were watching the assault and crying, according to Lincoln Police.

Smith then took the victim and their shared daughter to a residence near N. 27th and Y Streets, Lincoln Police say.  At the residence, Smith assaulted the owner and slashed the tires of his vehicle.

During this time, the victim drove back to the house to grab her children and their belongings, according to Lincoln Police.  While driving back, she saw a Nebraska State Patrol Trooper performing a traffic stop.  She then reported the incident to the trooper.

Lincoln Police took over the investigation and arrested Smith at his residence.

Lincoln Police say they arrested Smith on suspicion of 2nd-degree domestic assault, strangulation, use of a deadly weapon to commit a felony and three counts of child abuse.  They also cited him on suspicion of 3rd-degree assault and criminal mischief for his actions toward the male.