Man Charged With Attempted Murder After Chasing His Estranged Wife With Two Butcher Knives During Their Son’s Football Game

According to reports, a California man was arrested last week at his son’s flag football game after he chased after his estranged wife with two large butcher knives.

43-year-old Russel Husges was charged with attempted murder and child endangerment, as well as assault with a deadly weapon, and disobeying a domestic relations court order.

According to Garden Grove Police, the incident occurred Friday evening at the Chapman Sports Complex while the mother was watching her 9-year-old son practice. The child warned her that his father was “charging across the field” with a knife in each hand, prompting the woman to dash onto the field and scream for help. A coach, a few bystanders, and an off-duty officer intervened, tackling Husges to the ground, detaining him until officers arrived.

“No one should be subjected to violence for making the decision to leave a relationship and no child should have to intervene to stop one parent from attacking another,” Orange County District Attorney Todd Spitzer said in a news release. “The act itself is horrific, but to attempt to carry out this kind of violence in front of innocent children and their parents is the stuff of nightmares.”

It’s unclear what compelled Husges to pursue his wife with knives. A few weeks ago, she was granted a family court order against him. He is currently being held in Orange County jail and if convicted, faces life in prison.