A criminal case from south Georgia is a holiday story of family aggression, vengeance and self-defense.

Dougherty County police arrested Samuel Williams after a physical altercation involving his wife and daughter late Thursday night. Based on police records, the Albany Herald reports that Williams started choking his wife because he was angry over their son allegedly stealing money.

Sgt. Chad Kirkpatrick said the 36-year-old Williams pinned his wife to the floor and grabbed his daughter. As he reached for his gun cabinet, his daughter broke free, retrieved a kitchen knife and returned to stab her father.

Authorities said the daughter then ran to a neighbor's house and called 911.

Williams was taken to the hospital and released Friday.