CLAYTON COUNTY -- A confrontation between a woman and her ex-boyfriend escalated into a fight in which a 17-year-old girl was stabbed to death Saturday, and Clayton County authorities ruled the killing self-defense.

Patricia Russell, 20, stabbed Rasheka Chandler in the throat as Chandler came at her with a stick Saturday at an apartment complex on Arrowhead Boulevard, police said.

Chandler went there at about noon with Andrea Rosser, 22, and Andrian Jackson, 20, both of Riverdale, to confront Rosser's ex-boyfriend, Rudy James, 22, with whom Russell was living.

They hit James in the head with a stick when he opened his apartment door, and proceeded to kick and beat him, police said.

Russell grabbed a kitchen knife and went to her boyfriend's aid, police said.

The 17-year-old hit Russell with the stick "and continued to come towards her in an aggressive manner at which time she swung the knife and stabbed (Chandler) in the neck," according to a police statement.

The other two women were arrested and charged with aggravated assault.

James and Russell suffered minor injuries.