Insets: Justic Cofield (Glendale Police Department/Instagram). Background: The roller skating rink where Justic Cofield allegedly attacked a woman “to send a message” to her ex-boyfriend, who was dating the victim (Google Maps).
An ex-girlfriend in Arizona is accused of launching a violent attack on her former boyfriend’s female friend at a local skating rink, allegedly using a roller skate as a weapon to “send a message” to her ex. According to police reports, the victim endured significant injuries, including two black eyes, a concussion, and damaged teeth.
Justic Cofield, 25, allegedly assaulted the woman at Great Skate in Glendale on January 25. After the incident, Cofield reportedly took to Instagram to send direct messages to the victim and post about the event on her Instagram story, as detailed in a probable cause statement reviewed by Law&Crime.
“In these messages, the account holder discussed the attack, admitting to striking the victim with a skate and continuing the assault,” the statement reveals. “The communications also indicated the user’s intention to use the victim as an example and to send a message to a male acquaintance, suggesting the attack was deliberate and retaliatory, not accidental.”
The victim informed police that she believes the assault occurred because of her friendship with Cofield’s ex-boyfriend, sparking jealousy in Cofield. She provided investigators with photographs that documented her injuries, which included facial bruising, two swollen black eyes, and noticeable swelling.
Police reports also mention “dental damage,” describing a “chipped right incisor and the crown from a bottom right molar being knocked out.”
Surveillance video from the roller rink allegedly captures Cofield holding a roller skate in each hand. She is seen approaching the victim stealthily before abruptly swinging one skate, striking the woman on the head. This blow reportedly knocked the victim to the ground from the force, after which Cofield allegedly jumped on her, as stated by police.
“[Cofield] is seen on camera relentlessly attempting to continue her assault,” the probable cause statement says. Cofield allegedly boasted on Instagram about how she used the skate to attack the victim and was “continuing to beat her” despite a “third party intervening.”
In addition to talking about the alleged fight, cops say Cofield stated on IG that she was willing to “escalate” things by “using a pole,” which is slang for a firearm. Cofield claimed that if the incident had occurred outside she “would have used a pole,” according to the probable cause statement.
Police say the victim was able to identify Cofield through her Instagram and the surveillance footage, along with knowing her ex-boyfriend. “That’s not me,” Cofield reportedly initially tried claiming after being located and questioned by cops. She took off running when officers approached her, the probable cause statement says.
“After being taken into custody, Justic was transported to the City of Glendale interview rooms,” the statement explains. “Justic was placed into a locked, secured interview room used as a place of confinement for prisoners in custody awaiting interview. After being left in the room, Justic abruptly stood up, picked up a chair from the interview room, and repeatedly threw it into the secured interview room door with enough force that the chair broke apart and the door was damaged.”
Cofield allegedly continued throwing the chair at the door as officers attempted to re-enter and regain control of the situation, to no avail.
“When officers entered the interview room, Justic was given commands to comply, including to back up and to sit on the f—ing ground,” police allege. “Justic backed up and then sat back in the chair. Broken chair pieces were removed while she remained seated. After officers closed and locked the interview room door, Justic kicked a table forward and flipped it into the door.”
Cops say they attempted to place Cofield in handcuffs, but that was difficult as well.
“Justic tensed her arms and pulled away from officers’ control,” the probable cause statement says. “She was told multiple times to put her arms behind her back and stop pulling away, and she continued pulling her body away. Justic was then placed in handcuffs and escorted to the isolation detention room.”
Cofield was charged with aggravated assault, destruction of public property, and resisting arrest for the roller rink attack and her behavior afterward, according to police. She has prior arrests for DUI, violating a court order in Phoenix, and obstructing a court order in Tempe.
Cofield was being held this week on bonds totaling $151,000. Her next court date was not immediately available.
