25-year-old Justin Averette was charged with aggravated domestic assault when police say he slapped, kicked, and then pulled a loaded gun on his wife during an argument at their apartment.
On November 20th, Clarksville Police Department Officer David Mann responded to the Biltmore Apartments located at 1509 Wilma Rudolph Boulevard in regards to a domestic call involving a weapon. Officer Mann stated in his report that he saw Justin Averette on the deck of the apartment and then outside of the apartment upon his arrival. Averette told Officer Mann that he and his wife, Kelsie Merritt, had an argument that caused him to swing at her, but he did not make contact with her. Merritt stated to officers that while they were arguing, Averette grabbed her by the arm causing her to go to the floor where he slapped her in the face and kicked her in the stomach.
The officer’s report stated that Merritt had scratches on her right forearm and bruising to the upper inside of her right arm. Merritt told officers that after she told Averette that she was calling the police, he went upstairs and returned with a gun that he took out of the holster and took off the safety. The affidavit stated that Merritt ran upstairs, locked the bedroom door, and waited with her daughter until police arrived. Merritt said that Averette had been drinking alcohol and that she feared for her life due to never having seen Averette behave in a manner like this before.
Justin Averette was arrested and charged with aggravated domestic assault. He was later released on a $10,000 bond.
