California Man Ambushes Pregnant Ex-Wife Taking Kids to Soccer, Beats and Strangles Her in Front of Children
SURPRISE, ARIZONA — A California man has been sentenced to more than two decades in prison after driving hundreds of miles to ambush his pregnant ex-wife in front of her three children, beating and strangling her inside her Arizona home after forcing her back inside at knifepoint.
According to Maricopa County prosecutors, 27-year-old Garrett Scott Headrick launched the premeditated attack on October 19, 2024, after driving from California to his ex-wife’s residence near Greenway and Dysart Roads in Surprise, Arizona.
Headrick Waited Outside and Attacked Family as They Left for Soccer
Prosecutors said the victim and her three children were heading to a soccer game when Headrick suddenly appeared with a metal bar in his hand. He then forced them back inside the house, dragging his ex-wife by her hair while the children screamed.
“Once inside the residence, Headrick repeatedly struck and restrained the victim while threatening to kill her,” prosecutors stated. “At one point, he dragged her into the kitchen and armed himself with a knife while strangling her.”
The Maricopa County Attorney’s Office described the assault as a “planned ambush,” carried out in front of the couple’s three children.
Officers Found Him Strangling Victim Inside the Home
Police were called to the scene after one of the children reportedly dialed 911. When officers arrived, they had to force entry into the home, finding Headrick on top of the victim with his hands wrapped around her throat.
He was slamming her head into the floor when police used nonlethal rounds to subdue and arrest him.
The woman was rushed to a nearby hospital with deep cuts to her hands, neck injuries, and a brain bleed caused by repeated blows to her head. Authorities said she and her unborn child miraculously survived.
Court Sentences Headrick to 21 Years in State Prison
Maricopa County Superior Court Judge Warren J. Granville sentenced Headrick on Wednesday to 21 years in state prison. He had pleaded guilty to attempted second-degree murder, aggravated assault with a deadly weapon, and stalking.
Six other charges were dropped as part of a plea deal.
“Domestic violence is about power and control, and it leaves lasting scars on victims and families,” said County Attorney Rachel Mitchell. “This case is a reminder that abusers will go to extreme lengths to intimidate and harm. We will continue to stand with survivors and hold offenders accountable.”
Children Witnessed Entire Attack
Investigators confirmed all three children were present throughout the attack. Officers and prosecutors described the case as “one of the most traumatic” domestic violence scenes they had encountered in recent years.
Police also said Headrick’s violent outburst was motivated by jealousy and rage over his ex-wife’s pregnancy.
Headrick remains in the custody of the Arizona Department of Corrections, serving his 21-year sentence without the possibility of early release.
If you or someone you know is experiencing domestic abuse, reach out to the National Domestic Violence Hotline at 1-800-799-7233 for confidential support. For more local crime updates, visit ChicagoMusicGuide.com.