Man arrested after domestic violence incident involving SWAT

PINELLAS PARK, Fla. – A man was arrested Saturday afternoon after allegedly holding two women hostage while armed with a rifle at a Pinellas Park home.

Russell Rippey, 37, is charged with three counts of aggravated assault with a firearm after he allegedly held his 48-year-old girlfriend and a 74-year-old woman hostage with an AR-15 rifle and several handguns, according to the Pinellas Park Police Department.

The department's SWAT team was called to respond to the incident, which occurred Saturday around 2:10 p.m. Officers managed to lure Rippey out of the house before arresting him.

Through their investigation, officers learned that the situation began as a domestic violence incident between Rippey and his girlfriend. The woman called one of her friends, a 62-year-old man, to help her and the 74-year-old woman.

But when he arrived, Rippey allegedly directed him to enter the house while pointing a gun at him. As Rippey continued to attack his girlfriend, the man managed to leave the house and call the police.

Rippey was arrested and will be taken to the Pinellas County Jail, according to the department. Officials said he would likely face additional charges as the investigation continues.