Man allegedly wielding knife tasered by police

Reportedly assaulted woman holding child

A man was arrested Monday night after he allegedly advanced toward a group of police officers while wielding a knife, court records indicate. The officers deployed their tasers and were able to subdue the man, who had reportedly assaulted a woman holding a 2-year-old child before their arrival.

Christopher Dale Buchanan, 28, of no fixed address was charged with several offenses, including first-degree assault

for the July 18 incident. He remains in custody as of press time after bail was set at $25,000 on Wednesday.

Around 10 p.m. on Monday, Charles County Sheriff’s Office deputies responded to the 4600 block of Pickeral Street in White Plains for the report of a domestic assault. Upon arrival, officers spoke with the victim who had a swollen and bloodied nose and a swollen and bruised cheek, according to court records. She told officers that Buchanan had allegedly punched her in the face three times very hard, almost striking the child in the process. The punches almost caused her to drop the child, she added.

The victim was able to put the child down, she said, before Buchanan allegedly attacked her again, slamming her head into a wall as he dragged her into a bedroom. He then reportedly told her that he was going to kill her and proceeded to force her head into the mattress so that she could not breath.

The woman told officers that she fought back and was able to escape the bedroom, police records show. When she escaped, Buchanan locked himself in the room.

One of the officers outside the home could see Buchanan inside the bedroom through a window, and he refused to come out, charging documents state. Eventually, a group of officers forced entr y into the bedroom and saw Buchanan allegedly holding a large knife. Ignoring the commands of the officers, he reportedly advanced toward them, prompting officers to deploy a taser — twice — before he was safely apprehended. In handcuffs, Buchanan allegedly remained combative, banging his head on a car parked in the driveway as he was led toward a police cruiser and allegedly attempted to break free from an officer’s grasp.

Buchanan was then taken to a hospital for an involuntary emergency evaluation after reportedly stating that he wanted to harm himself.

A preliminary hearing has been scheduled for Aug. 19.