RBS Man Who Stabs Wife, Claims to Have “Night Terrors”
Pictured above, Gregory Michael Garifi is led into the Macon County Jail by Macon County deputies.
By Jessie Williams
A 42-year-old Red Boiling Springs man was arrested Wednesday, March 5, after allegedly stabbing his wife inside the Lafayette Road home they shared with a minor child.
According to an incident report provided by the Red Boiling Springs Police Department, Chief of Police Jeffery Maynard was dispatched to the residence regarding a stabbing that had taken place and was greeted by the suspect, Gregory Michael Garifi.
The report states that Mr. Garifi told Chief Maynard he had stabbed his wife with a knife because he was having “night terrors.” The stabbing did take place in front of their child.
Macon County EMS arrived at the scene a short time later to treat Garifi’s wife, who suffered stab wounds to her right arm and right leg.
While the victim received treatment, Chief Maynard spoke with Mr. Garifi outside where he was advised that he was under arrest for the stabbing of his wife.
“Gregory (Garifi) then pushed me and ran back into the residence and attempted to shut the door on me,” Maynard’s report states. “At this time, I did catch the door with my left hand and drew my taser with my right hand. The whole time, I was giving verbal commands for him to stop. I did deploy my taser twice. Both times, I did make successful contact, however, the taser was not effective. At this time, I did pull out my pepper spray and Gregory took off – running down to the basement, which is where the stabbing had taken place. I did witness Gregory go through a doorway and shut the door. At this time, I did have my taser, which all rounds had been spent from, in my left hand, and my pepper spray in my right hand. I did stop when I got to the door to holster all of my less lethal weapons, and produced my service weapon. I then proceeded through the door, and observed it was just a narrow hallway that led to another door that went to the exterior of the residence. When I made it outside, I did not know which direction he had run toward.”
With Garifi on the run, officers from the Macon County Sheriff’s Department, Tennessee Highway Patrol and Clay County Sheriff’s Department were called in to assist in the search. A K-9 was also utilized by the Clay County Sheriff’s Department.
Following a tip regarding his whereabouts, officers from the Macon County Sheriff’s Department located Garifi at a Spring Street residence and placed him under arrest.
Garifi’s wife was transported to Sumner Regional Medical Center to be treated for her wounds, and the couple’s child was released to a friend or family member selected by the victim.
Mr. Garifi was transported to the Macon County Jail where he was charged with aggravated assault, evading arrest, assault on a first responder, child endangerment and resisting arrest.
He is scheduled to appear in general sessions court on March 12, 2025.
Chief Maynard would like to thank the Macon County Sheriff’s Department, Tennessee Highway Patrol and Clay County Sheriff’s Department for their assistance in this case.
