Portsmouth Police Confront Man With Sword

Editor's note: this article has been updated to reflect an outcome of the case.

PORTSMOUTH, RI—Early Wednesday morning, police were alerted a domestic assault was happening at a Crossings Court home. At 1:42 a.m., as officers arrived, they were told a man was armed with a knife and was outside the house. They found Richard James Pinkham brandishing a big hunting knife at police. He was apparently drunk, police said. Police drew their guns, and Pinkham dropped the knife. But then, he "(removed) started to run towards a large sword that he had embedded in the ground," police said.

The officers used a taser to subdue him.

According to the police, a 48-year-old woman and Pinkham had argued. He "grabbed her by the throat," police allege. She escaped and called for help.

Pinkham, 47, was charged with Domestic Assault (Strangulation) and Weapons (other than firearms prohibited).