A Texas woman, aged 57, was apprehended last week following an alleged assault on her husband with a kitchen knife. The incident occurred on Valentine’s Day amidst a heated argument over a gift. Rita Tate was charged with one count of aggravated assault with a deadly weapon, according to court records.
The Waco Police Department responded to a 911 call around 10:20 p.m. on February 14, 2025. The call originated from a residence located in the 5500 block of Black Horse Court in McClellan, Texas, approximately 100 miles south of Dallas. The call was classified as a “domestic disturbance in progress” and also noted as a “lovers quarrel.”
The caller, later identified as Tate’s husband, informed the emergency dispatcher that his wife was behaving violently and was armed with a knife. He identified the alleged attacker as his wife, Rita Tate. Upon arrival, officers were granted entry into the home by the husband.
In a subsequent interview with the police, the husband revealed that he had gifted his wife a necklace for Valentine’s Day. However, she was reportedly upset as she had expected a bracelet. Following the morning incident, the husband left for work.
The husband returned home around 4 p.m., only to find his wife still upset about the gift. He decided to leave the house for a few hours, hoping his wife would cool down during his absence. Upon his return, he found his wife not just angry, but also wielding a large kitchen knife. He claimed that she pointed the knife at him and challenged him to “come and get it.”
Feeling threatened, the husband decided to record the encounter. The police reviewed the footage and confirmed seeing Tate with the knife. Tate was subsequently arrested at the scene and processed at the McLennan County Jail. As of Thursday afternoon, she was no longer listed as an inmate at the facility.