24-year-old Terrick Claybrooks was involved in a domestic altercation with his lover, Michael Smith, near West Trinity Lane and Whites Creek Pike on June 19th. When officers arrived, they made contact with Smith and Claybrooks. Claybrooks would not let officers speak to Smith and was actively chasing him, so backup officers were called. Officers observed several injuries on Smith, including scratches on his elbow, around his neck, above his butt, and an abrasion on his forearm. Smith stated that Claybrooks had been driving his vehicle but refused to return the keys. Smith then told officers Claybrooks told him to move out if he wanted his keys because he still had an apartment key.
As Smith began to pack his things to leave the location, Claybrooks followed him and stood in the doorway so Smith could not leave. Smith began recording audio to show officers how Claybrooks was acting, and when Claybrooks noticed Smith recording, he became upset. The argument then turned physical when Claybrooks grabbed Smith as he attempted to leave the apartment. Officers observed more injuries on Smith, observing blood on his elbow and redness around the neck from Claybrooks pulling on his shirt. Smith denied medics and played the recording for officers that showed the context of the argument and a scuffle that happened with it. Officers then escorted Smith to the apartment so he could get his belongings. Officers observed Smith’s shirt and one of his shoes in the hallway of the apartment building. Smith told officers that he had to “make a run for it to get out of the apartment.” Upon arrival at the apartment, residence officers spoke with Claybrooks, who stated that they had gotten into an argument regarding Smith not wanting to help pay bills. Claybrooks then told officers that he snatched his keys back, which is when Smith pushed him and walked towards him, prompting the fight. Claybrooks told officers that Smith grabbed his neck and pulled Smith’s shirt to get him off. Claybrooks also informed officers that he defended himself after he had been assaulted and that Smith still had his keys. Claybrooks was deemed the primary aggressor, and he was taken into custody for Domestic assault and false imprisonment.