Man arrested after attack at South Salt Lake gas station charged with assault

SOUTH SALT LAKE — A man accused of attempting to stab a random stranger while he was pumping gas faces assault charges.

Joseph Samoa Ama, 25, is charged with assault, a third-degree felony, according to charges filed Friday in 3rd District Court in Salt Lake City. Ama had been arrested for investigation of attempted murder, police said.

Ama was arrested Monday following an attack at Maverik, 514 W. 3900 South. Police said Ama approached a man while he was pumping gas just after 10 p.m. and began swinging a knife at him and yelling, "I am going to kill you!"

Ama fled when a man witnessing the attack began yelling at him. He was arrested nearby a short time later.

The victim of the attack received a small puncture wound to the chest and lacerations on his hands, police said.

— McKenzie Romero

Twitter: @McKenzieRomero