Sword attacker charged with attempted murder of former girlfriend

The Battle Creek man arrested in Friday's sword attack on his former girlfriend has been charged in a warrant with attempted murder.

Calhoun County Prosecutor David Gilbert said charges of assault with intent to murder, home invasion and being a habitual fourth offender were issued Saturday against Anthony Whitlock, 35.

"And there could be more," Gilbert said.

Whitlock was arrested Friday after Battle Creek police said he attacked his former girlfriend — the mother of his three children — Alonda Robinson, 35.

She remains in critical condition at Bronson Methodist Hospital in Kalamazoo.

Gilbert said, because of his prior record, Whitlock faces a maximum sentence of up to life in prison and a minimum sentence of 25 years if convicted on all charges. He is being held without bond in the Calhoun County jail and is expected to be arraigned in district court on Tuesday.

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Investigators have alleged that Whitlock forced open a door at Robinson's Teal Run apartment on Battle Creek's south side about 2:43 a.m.

Armed with a 3-foot-long replica samurai sword, Whitlock attacked Robinson, inflicting severe injuries. Police said the thumb and index finger of one of her hands was severed and she had serious injuries to her feet and ankles as well as other parts of her body.

The couple's 13-year-old son, who also was awakened when his father entered the apartment, attempted to intervene and Detective Sgt. Todd Elliott said Friday he may have saved his mother's life.

Neither the boy nor two younger children in the apartment at the time were injured. They are staying with family.

The older boy called 911 as Whitlock left the apartment and named his father as the attacker. Police issued a broadcast to area departments, and Whitlock was arrested by deputies from the Kalamazoo County Sheriff Department just outside of Kalamazoo 36 minutes after the attack was reported.

Gilbert said the habitual offender charge was issued because of prior convictions including assault with intent to do great bodily harm less than murder in 2004. Whitlock also has convictions for resisting police and drug delivery.

Contact Trace Christenson at 269-966-0685 or tchrist@battlecreekenquirer.com. Follow him on Twitter: @TSChristenson