Dallas police on Thursday arrested community activist Dominique Alexander in connection with two allegations of family violence against his longtime girlfriend, Keyaira Saunders, a fellow activist and candidate for the Dallas City Council.
Saunders filed a police report April 16 alleging Alexander shoved her into a piece of furniture, breaking her toe and that on a separate occasion five days later headbutted her as she tried to leave.
Alexander was booked into Dallas County Jail shortly after 5:30 p.m. Thursday. He faces a felony assault charge and a misdemeanor charge.
Saunders spoke publicly Friday afternoon and said she believes in justice and that people go through similar things every day.
"It was a very scary thing to speak out on the things I’ve been experiencing," Saunders said. "I just want to let everyone know that I am OK. My family is OK. We’re all sticking through this because this issue didn’t just happen to one person."
NBC 5 obtained two arrest warrants Friday that outline the allegations against Alexander.
In the first, Saunders said she came home on April 10 to find Alexander yelling at one of her children.
Saunders said she asked Alexander why he was so upset and that he then "directed his anger at her." Saunders said she put her hand up to maintain some space and that Alexander pushed it out of the way. She said he then pushed her around the room, causing her to hit her toe on a piece of furniture and to fall on the couch. Saunders said that's when Alexander tried to strangle her.
Saunders said her ability to breathe was never restricted and that she was able to run away. She said she returned to the home later after Alexander had calmed down.
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The second incident reportedly took place April 15. Saunders told police she'd reached out to a longtime friend whom she'd told about the alleged assault from five days before. That friend, a photographer, came over and photographed Saunders' injuries.
Later in the evening, according to Saunders, Alexander was looking at her computer when he spotted the photos taken earlier in the day. Saunders said Alexander became upset and accused her of being disrespectful while poking her forehead. As she tried to leave the house, he allegedly blocked the door and then slammed it shut before headbutting her with his head. Saunders said he then threatened her further by saying he knew the chief of police and the district attorney before asking, "Who are you going to call?"
Saunders said later in the evening Alexander kissed her on the forehead and said "they should not fight anymore."
With her foot still in pain days six days later, Saunders went to the Las Colinas Medical Center on April 16 where she learned her toe had been fractured.
The next day, April 17, she reported the incidents to police and Alexander was charged with aggravated assault family violence causing serious bodily injury.
Alexander was arrested a day after police announced they were investigating the allegations against him, though, in an interview Wednesday with The Dallas Morning News, Alexander denied physically attacking anyone.
NBC 5 reached out to Alexander Friday and asked him to speak on camera about the allegation, but he declined.
The incidents are not the only reports of violence between Alexander and Saunders. In October 2015, Alexander was accused of pushing Saunders at his sister's apartment. She said of incident that she was offended, but not hurt. Afterward, Saunders asked police for a ride to a shelter. Alexander, meanwhile, was cited for offensive contact with a family member and offensive, provocative physical contact.
At Friday's press conference, Saunders was joined by several friends and fellow activists who've worked with Alexander.
“My interest is not to get him out there working with a bull horn or to do interviews. I’m interested in getting him the help he needs and standing by Keyaira," said Jeff Hood.
Alexander is the founder of the Next Generation Action Network, which his fellow activists say now needs a new leader.
“Now what we have to do is reset and re-pause. We’ve got to rethink our strategy, and we’ve got to push on," said Olinka Green.
Saunders, also a public figure, is challenging Carolyn King Arnold for the District 4 seat on the Dallas City Council vacated last summer by disgraced former Mayor Pro Tem Dwaine Caraway.
NBC 5's Allie Spillyards and Frank Heinz contributed to this report.
