A Waco man was arrested on Sept. 17 and booked on a felony charge of assault of a family or household member by impeding breath or circulation, according to a Waco Police Department arrest affidavit filed in the case.
Officers respond to a domestic disturbance
Police were dispatched to the 500 block of North 26th Street following a report of a domestic disturbance in progress. The initial dispatch indicated a man was assaulting his wife and that it was unknown whether emergency medical care was needed. Responding officers met the caller at the residence, who directed them to the back door and reported that the couple had been fighting.
Allegations of strangulation and other injuries
Inside the home, officers spoke with the man identified in the affidavit as Michael Gibson. Gibson told police that his wife had thrown a thermos that struck him in the head and caused bleeding. The affidavit states that the victim described a sequence of events that began earlier in the day and culminated with an assault after the couple returned to the car following a stop at a food truck.
According to the affidavit, the victim said Gibson strangled her using both hands after accusing her of flirting with men at the food truck. The woman reported that the strangulation episode lasted about two minutes and that she experienced continuing effects afterward, including dizziness, nausea, disorientation, headache and pain when swallowing and speaking. Officers observed deep bruising on the right side of her neck.
"She struggled to breathe during and after the attack,"
The affidavit also recounts a prior related incident a few days earlier in which the victim required emergency transport to Providence Hospital after being strangled, the document states.
Sequence of confrontations described in affidavit
After the pair left the clinic where they had obtained medication earlier the same day, they stopped at a food truck. The victim told police that an argument began there and continued when they returned to her car. After the alleged strangulation in the vehicle, the couple drove together to their home and the argument continued inside the bedroom.
The affidavit states the victim threw a thermos across the bed, striking Gibson in the forehead. When she moved to help him with the bleeding, Gibson allegedly punched her in the left eye. Officers documented that the victim's left eye and cheekbone area were red and swollen.
- Date of incident: Sept. 17 (date of police response)
- Location: 500 block of North 26th Street, Waco
- Charge: Assault of a family or household member by impeding breath or circulation
| Alleged action | Observed/injured area |
|---|---|
| Strangulation with both hands | Deep bruising, right side of neck; breathing difficulty |
| Punch to face | Redness and swelling around left eye and cheekbone |
| Thermos struck man | Bleeding forehead |
Arrest and release
Gibson was taken into custody following the officers' investigation and booked into the McLennan County Jail on the strangulation-related assault charge. Records indicate he has since posted bond and been released.
The affidavit provides the details reported to responding officers but does not indicate whether additional charges will be filed or whether prosecutors have issued further statements. The Waco Police Department and McLennan County records will be the primary sources for updates on any court proceedings or additional charges.
Domestic violence incidents that involve strangulation are treated seriously by law enforcement and prosecutors because of the high risk they pose to victims. Local agencies encourage anyone experiencing domestic violence to contact law enforcement or local victim services for help.
