Dumfries woman in hospital after domestic dispute

By Elisa Glushefski

Published: August 9, 2008

A Dumfries woman was in critical condition after the father of her child allegedly attacked her at her house Tuesday night, Prince William County police said.

Police responded to a domestic dispute at the victim's house in the 3600 block of Masthead Trail in Dumfries at about 10 p.m., said Officer Erika Hernandez, police spokeswoman.

The 37-year-old woman had severe injuries to the head and face, Hernandez said. She had been hit with an blunt object.

About two hours later, Russell S. Hammond Jr., 37, of no fixed address, was charged with aggravated malicious wounding after leading police on a short foot chase in Woodbridge.

Hammond is accused of fleeing the house on Masthead Trail in the woman's 1996 Chevrolet, Hernandez said.

A lookout was broadcast and patrol officers later

spotted the car near Featherstone Plaza in Woodbridge and attempted to pull it over, police said.

The car didn't stop until driving over spike strips police placed at the intersection of Kentucky Avenue and Featherstone Road, police said.

Hammond then allegedly jumped out of the vehicle and led police on a foot chase into the Marumsco Woods neighborhood, where he was caught, Hernandez said.

The woman, whom police did not identify, was flown to Inova Fairfax Hospital Tuesday night, Hernandez said.

Hammond and the woman have an 8-year-old daughter, police said, but the status of their relationship was unknown Wednesday afternoon.

The girl was at the house at the time of the attack, Hernandez said, and is staying with one of the victim's family members.

Hammond, who was also charged with felony eluding and resisting arrest, was held without bond and will have a hearing in Juvenile and Domestic Relations Court.

Staff writer Elisa Glushefski can be reached at 703-878-8062.