A former Democratic congressional candidate in Arizona has been arrested after police say they forced their way into an ex-partner’s home while carrying a knife and tape, later describing the encounter as a “misunderstanding” tied to a BDSM scenario that the alleged victim says she never consented to, according to court documents.
Phoenix police were called around 6 p.m. on July 10 after a woman reported that her ex-partner, Brianna Westbrook, appeared at her door, court records state. The woman told investigators she opened the door because she thought her son had arrived, but instead saw Westbrook holding a knife in one hand and black tape in the other. Police said the two struggled before Westbrook pushed the woman onto a couch and ordered her “not to move,” prompting the victim to scream.
Westbrook is a transgender rights activist and previously served as vice chair of the Arizona Democratic Party.
Brianna Westbrook speaks to a crowd during a protest at the Arizona state Capitol in response to anti-drag show bills on Jan. 22, 2023, in Phoenix. (Antranik Tavitian/The Republic / USA TODAY NETWORK)
The victim’s screams brought her sister into the room, where Westbrook allegedly made a lunging motion toward both women while armed with the knife, according to court documents. The victim pleaded for Westbrook to stop and said her son would likely be home soon. Westbrook then fled the house, police said.
Officers later went to Westbrook’s residence, where Westbrook allegedly told them the incident was a “big misunderstanding” and claimed that both Westbrook and the victim were involved in BDSM.
According to the documents, Westbrook admitted going to the woman’s home with a knife and duct tape but said the encounter had been mutually arranged, claiming that “the victim and her agreed on the scene through subliminal messages they exchanged on Instagram.”
Westbrook also told police the pair had “agreed to re-enact a scene where Westbrook scares the victim to help her deal with prior childhood trauma of abuse,” the court documents say.
Brianna Westbrook, a transgender rights activist and former vice chair of the Arizona Democratic Party, is seen in a portrait taken in front of a transgender pride flag. (Brianna Westbrook/Creative Commons)
“Westbrook was given the subliminal message on Instagram that the victim was ready … to start the scene. Westbrook admitted to going over to the residence with a knife, knocking on the door, entering the residence while armed with a fake knife and tape,” police said in the probable cause statement. “Westbrook said she told the victim to sit on the couch. The witness then exited out of her room, interrupting the scene. Westbrook then left the residence.”
However, the victim told police she never agreed to “re-creating” the BDSM scene.
Brianna Westbrook is seen seated in a crowd during a public proceeding. (Gage Skidmore/Creative Commons)
Westbrook was charged with felony third-degree burglary and aggravated assault using a simulated deadly weapon, as well as misdemeanor disorderly conduct.
A release questionnaire for Westbrook’s arrest also obtained by INC News shows that police checked boxes stating that the suspect has a history of domestic violence, noting that the “frequency/intensity” of such incidents has been increasing.
A preliminary hearing for Westbrook is scheduled for Monday.
INC News reached out to Westbrook for comment.
