OCEAN CITY — An Ocean City man was arrested on first-degree assault charges this week after allegedly threatening to kill his girlfriend and everyone in a downtown apartment in an apparent jealous rage.
Shortly after midnight on Tuesday, Ocean City Police Department (OCPD) officers were dispatched to a residence on Philadelphia Avenue for a report of a man with a knife threatening to kill everyone in the unit. Upon arrival, OCPD officers met a female witness who reportedly said her roommate told her to call the police because her boyfriend, Elijah Tonnie, 33, of Ocean City, threatened her with a knife.
Officers found Tonnie outside the unit talking to another female witness and took him into custody. Officers interviewed the alleged victim, who told police Tonnie had awakened her to confront her about calls she had made to another male, according to police reports. The victim reportedly told police Tonnie was angry and while he was yelling at her, he moved a tote container in front of her bedroom door and placed another box on top of it to block the door and keep her from leaving.
The victim reportedly told police after Tonnie blocked the door, he threatened to kill her, saying “You know how this is going to end,” according to police reports. Tonnie reportedly told the victim he was going to kill her and then himself. When the victim told Tonnie he was going to go to jail, he allegedly grabbed a folding knife off the nightstand, held it toward her in an aggressive manner and told the victim if she called the police he was going to kill her, according to police reports. The victim told police Tonnie said if she called the police, he was going to stab her to death, according to police reports.
The victim began to call for her roommates outside to call the police. Tonnie reportedly told the victim if anyone called the police, he was going to kill everyone in the unit. Tonnie ultimately removed the barricade from the door and the victim was able to escape to her roommate’s room. Meanwhile, a different roommate walked Tonnie outside to talk to him, which is when police arrived.
During an interview with police, Tonnie reportedly said he had been arguing with the victim, but had never threatened her or blocked the door. Based on the testimony and evidence, Tonnie was arrested and charged with first- and second-degree assault and false imprisonment. The knife was found hidden under a pillow on the bed. Following a bail review hearing Wednesday, Tonnie was ordered to be held without bond.
