Victor Battle Jr. allegedly kicked down his girlfriend's apartment door, beat her repeatedly and then grabbed the couple's infant daughter by the neck until she lost consciousness — later telling witnesses he would return with a gun to kill them all, according to police in Washington, D.C.
Background
The violent domestic incident unfolded Thursday afternoon in the 1300 block of Shepherd Street, Northwest, in the nation's capital. Court documents say Battle and his girlfriend had been in a relationship and shared a young daughter together.
According to investigators, the victim told police she heard knocking at her apartment door and went to investigate. When she tried to look through the peephole, someone was covering it up from outside. As she opened the door, Battle — her boyfriend — allegedly kicked it in with such force that he injured his hand.
She grabbed their baby girl and ran into a bedroom, slamming the door behind her, according to the criminal complaint obtained by Law&Crime. But Battle did not stop there.
The Investigation
Battle allegedly broke through the bedroom door and began punching his girlfriend in the face and ribs, investigators say. He then lifted the infant by the neck and maintained his grip until the baby lost consciousness — an action that caused "risk of grave bodily harm," police wrote in their affidavit.
A neighbor attempted to intervene and de-escalate the escalating violence. Instead of backing down, Battle allegedly tried to punch the neighbor before fleeing the scene, investigators say.
As he left, Battle made a chilling threat that has since rattled the community: "It's alright I'll be back with a gun to kill y'all," according to police.
The victim called 911, and officers responded to the scene. Paramedics transported the baby to a hospital for treatment of injuries sustained during the attack.
Police located Battle shortly after and took him to a hospital for medical evaluation of his injured hand — sustained while breaking down the bedroom door, court documents state. While at the facility, Battle allegedly became irate and destroyed a computer keyboard before kicking an officer in the leg, investigators say.
Battle was taken into custody and transported to jail. He faces charges including strangulation, child cruelty and aggravated assault, among other counts, according to law enforcement officials.
Key Takeaways
- Victor Battle Jr., 21, has been charged with strangulation, child cruelty and aggravated assault following the domestic violence incident in Washington, D.C.
- The alleged attack occurred Thursday afternoon on Shepherd Street, Northwest — where police say Battle kicked down his girlfriend's door and attacked both her and their infant daughter.
- Investigators allege Battle grabbed the baby by the neck until she lost consciousness, causing what officers described as "risk of grave bodily harm."
- After fleeing the scene, Battle allegedly told witnesses he would return with a gun to kill them all, according to police.
What's Next
Battle remains in custody pending his initial court appearance. A formal arraignment date had not been set at time of publication, according to law enforcement officials. The infant's current condition has not been disclosed publicly by investigators.