Inset: D’Andre Burgess (PBCSO). Background: The area in Florida where Burgess allegedly tried to kill his pregnant girlfriend (Google Maps).
A 31-year-old man in Florida is accused of stabbing his pregnant girlfriend and choking her, allegedly continuing to attack her after she curled into a ball to protect her unborn child.
D’Andre Burgess is charged with one count each of first-degree attempted premeditated murder, aggravated battery on a pregnant victim and domestic battery by strangulation, court records show.
According to a probable cause affidavit, West Palm Beach police responded to a residence in the 1000 block of Lincoln Road at 4:52 p.m. Saturday for a reported stabbing. Burgess’ mother met officers outside when they arrived. As police were gathering information from the mother, the victim emerged from the residence “covered in blood.”
Paramedics rushed the victim to St. Mary’s Hospital under a trauma alert.
The mother told police that Burgess and his girlfriend had stopped by to visit their 1-year-old child. After the visitation, the two were standing outside when the victim allegedly warned the mother that Burgess had a knife.
“[The mother] observed Burgess attack [the victim] by hitting her and grabbing her,” the affidavit states. “During the attack, [the mother] observed blood on [the victim] and noticed Burgess holding a knife. [The victim] fell to the ground where Burgess got on top of her.”
The mother could not pull Burgess off the woman, but said she grabbed the knife from him, giving the victim a chance to run into the residence. Burgess allegedly followed her inside, got on top of her again and continued striking her. Burgess’ mother again tried to intervene, but called police when she could not pull Burgess off the victim.
At the hospital, the victim told police she had gone to the residence to visit her child and was outside eating lunch when Burgess “asked to have a real conversation with her.”
The woman said Burgess then moved his clothing, revealed a knife tucked into his waistband and threatened her.
“Burgess advised the victim that they were both going to die or he was going to do one hundred (100) years in jail,” the affidavit states.
The woman said she became frightened and moved closer to the door, speaking louder to alert Burgess’ mother. She said she tried to grab the knife, but Burgess allegedly pulled it away just as his mother was exiting the home.
“[The victim] yelled to [the mother] that Burgess had a knife and was trying to kill her,” the affidavit states. “At that point, Burgess pulled the knife from the waistband and began to stab [the victim]. [She] dropped to the ground and curled in a ball to protect her unborn child.”
When Burgess’ mother got the knife away from Burgess, the victim retreated inside, which is when Burgess attacked her a second time, according to the affidavit. He allegedly grabbed her by the neck, moved her to a couch and got on top of her, wrapping both hands around her neck.
“[The victim] advised she was unable to talk and was gasping for air,” the affidavit says. “[The victim] started to black out just as Burgess let go of her neck.”
Realizing Burgess had left, the victim walked outside and found that police had already arrived.
Police said the victim suffered lacerations to her neck, hand, breast and kneecap.
Authorities booked Burgess into the Palm Beach County Jail, where he is being held without bond, records show. He is scheduled to return to court Dec. 3 for an initial case conference.
