Man goes on a rampage

A man went on a rampage Thursday in South Salt Lake, stabbing a man and a dog and punching a woman.

Just before 1:30 p.m., police said, a 52-year-old woman was breaking up with a man, 52, at her apartment, 455 E. Penney Ave. (3545 South).

"The boyfriend shows up at the apartment complex and begins having a verbal argument with the girlfriend. It then becomes physical and he punches her in the face," said South Salt Lake police Capt. Tracy Tingey.

The blow knocked the woman to the ground. The man then allegedly got into his car and ran over the woman's leg, Tingey said. He reportedly put the car into reverse and tried to hit her a second time but missed, he said.

The woman's 18-year-old son saw what was happening and came out to help. He went up to the car door and tried to pull the man out, Tingey said.

"The (man) comes out of the vehicle and stabs the 18-year-old son multiple times in the torso," Tingey said.

Investigators believe a large kitchen or butcher knife was used in the attack.

The rampage continued when a neighbor's pit bull ran to the group and started nipping at the boyfriend. The boyfriend responded by stabbing the dog multiple times, Tingey said. He then got back into his car and took off.

The son was listed Thursday afternoon in serious condition in a local hospital. The dog was taken to a veterinary clinic but its condition was unknown Thursday afternoon. The woman was treated and released at the scene but was reportedly going to see her own doctor as a precaution.

Neighbors told police that the man has a criminal history and recently was released from prison after serving time for murder.

"We know who the suspect is," Tingey said. "Our officers and the Metro Gang Unit are trying to track him down."

Late Thursday, South Salt Lake police said that the man may be headed to the Las Vegas area. He is described as 5-foot-8, about 205 pounds, with a moustache and a shaved head. He was driving a silver 1997 Saturn SL2 with Utah license plate 834NZE. The rear window is reportedly broken out.

Anyone with information is asked to call police at 840-4000.

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Contributing: Ben Winslow

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E-mail: preavy@desnews.com