Columbia police arrest man accused of hitting and cutting woman

Columbia police arrested Lawrence Betts on Wednesday after officers were dispatched to a domestic assault in the 700 block of Wilkes Boulevard.

A female victim reported to police that she was walking home, when a dark colored car stopped in the road. Betts got out of the car and started running towards the victim, yelling he was going to kill her.

Police said the victim tried to run away but Betts pushed her to the ground and struck her with a closed fist. Betts was also accused of pulling out a shiny object that looked like a knife and swinging it at the victim.

The victim told officers that she felt a burning pain that felt like a paper cut. Officers observed a small cut under the victim’s right eye.

Police said the victim’s shirt was also sliced open and she had 2-3 cuts on her left arm approximately 2-3 inches in length.

Betts was arrested and faces possible charges of armed criminal action and domestic assault.