Gun taken from woman during dispute used to threaten her, police say

The pistol a woman was attempting to draw from her waistband was wrested away from her and used to threaten her, police say.

The suspect pointed the gun at her and threatened to kill her, police say.

Brian Keith Tippen, 34, of Marble Hill, Missouri, was arrested Saturday by Bollinger County sheriff's deputies. He was charged with felony second-degree domestic assault, unlawful use of a weapon, armed criminal action and resisting arrest. Tippen's bond was set at $10,000 cash or surety.

The victim said Tippen arrived at her house on Bollinger County Road 458 about 7:30 p.m., extremely intoxicated, according to the probable-cause statement from Bollinger County Sheriff's Sgt. Nick Becker. An argument became physical when Tippen threw the victim three times, including once against a toolbox in an on-site shop, according to the statement. Becker observed the victim had a red swollen area on her lower back.

At one point, the victim grabbed a subcompact pistol from inside and went outside to confront Tippen; she told Tippen she needed to protect herself and her family, Becker wrote. As she was removing the pistol from her waistband, Tippen disarmed her and pointed the gun at her, according to the statement.

She said Tippen then threatened to kill her and himself. Tippen then threw the firearm, and the victim feared it would discharge, according to the statement. The victim later told Becker that Tippen said he would attempt "suicide by cop."

Deputies and Marble Hill police officers tried to detain Tippen after he refused to put his hands behind his back, Becker wrote. Tippen began to pull away towards a kitchen counter where there were several knives were readily available.

"Due to officer safety concerns, (a Marble Hill) officer ... then tazed Tippen in an attempt to gain control of him and place him in custody," Becker wrote.

bkleine@semissourian.com

(573) 388-3644

Pertinent address: Bollinger County Road 458, Marble Hill, Mo.