Woman booked on suspicion of trying to pistol-whip man

A confrontation between a woman and two men, in which she is suspected of attempting to pistol-whip one of the men, led to her arrest, according to Maricopa police.  

Lee Tapia, 37, was booked into Pinal County jail on suspicion of aggravated assault and disorderly conduct involving a firearm, according to a probable-cause statement. 

At about 7 p.m. Feb. 19, Maricopa police responded to West Estrada Street in Senita on a report of a person with a gun. 

According to the probable-cause statement, officers spoke with two men who reported a woman, later identified as Tapia, had driven to their home and exited her vehicle while holding a black handgun.  

One of the men reported that Tapia began waving the gun around, yelling and accusing them of driving by and doing a burnout. 

Both men reported that Tapia attempted to pistol-whip one of them in the head with the gun. The man who was reportedly swung at was pulled away by his aunt, according to Maricopa police. 

Tapia reportedly left the home in her vehicle. 

Maricopa police contacted Tapia a short distance away, on West Kimberly Street, according to officers. Tapia told them she went to the men’s residence to confront them about their driving.  

Tapia told officers she had the black firearm in her hand during the confrontation, but later said the firearm was in her pocket, and still later in her waistband, police said.  

Tapia admitted to officers that she attempted to strike one of the men in the face, using her elbow, and her hand was on the handgun in her waistband at the time. At 8:18 p.m., Tapia was arrested by MPD officers and booked into jail. A court hearing was scheduled for Feb. 24.