The mayor of Taunton is facing assault and battery charges after she allegedly assaulted her husband with a crowbar during an argument at home.

Shaunna O’Connell, a Republican who was a state representative before mayor, was arraigned on assault charges in Taunton District Court on Monday following the alleged incident Friday night.

Taunton Police responded to the couple’s Worcester Street home after 8 p.m., following a report of a disturbance that possibly involved a crowbar.

When police arrived, they asked O’Connell’s husband — Ted — what was going on.

“… he stated that he and his wife were involved in an argument that ended up turning physical,” the police report reads.

“Mr. O’Connell stated that during their argument his wife Shaunna had bit him on his left-forearm and then proceeded to grab a small type of crowbar/gasket cleaner and had struck him with it on his right hand/knuckle area,” the police report states.

Police noticed an apparent bite wound on Ted’s left forearm. They also observed open wounds on his right hand’s knuckles, according to the police report

Ted told police that when he tried to leave in his vehicle, Shaunna had “jumped on the hood of his vehicle, so he was not able to leave.”

Police noticed a small dent on the front of the hood.

“At this time, I asked Mr. O’Connell where his wife Shaunna was, and he stated that she was currently inside of the residence, and he was concerned for her,” the police report reads. “I asked him what the concern was for, and he continued to state that he was worried for her.”

Police asked Ted if his wife had any access to guns, and he said there were firearms in the residence but the guns were secured in a safe.

When police went inside the house, Shaunna initially declined to open a door for police.

“Upon asking her to open the door Shaunna had advised me to hold on as she had no intention on opening the door,” the police report reads. “I again advised Shaunna to open the door so that we could speak in a cordial manner as this was not making things any easier.”

“After a few minutes of requesting her to open the door, she did… I then asked her what had occurred today, and she stated that she ‘did not know,’ ” the police report states. “I advised Shaunna of the statement her husband Ted had provided to me and asked her again what had occurred, and she again stated that she did not know… She then stated that her husband had been verbally abusive to her.”

She was placed under arrest and booked at police headquarters.

Shaunna was arraigned Monday on charges of assault and battery with a dangerous weapon (gasket scraper), and domestic assault and battery. She was released on personal recognizance.

“Ted and I have been married for 27 years,” the couple said in a joint statement. “Like all couples, we have had challenges. We’ve been working through marital issues.

“During an argument Ted involved the police and regrets making that decision,” the couple added.

Outside of court Monday, Shaunna did not speak to reporters.

Her husband made a brief comment to reporters: “I apologize for calling the police. I apologize to my wife and the people of Taunton. It was a huge mistake.”

A special prosecutor will be assigned to prosecute the case.