What started as an ordinary Tuesday in West Valley City turned surreal when a man walked into a random home carrying a large katana, according to police. Residents inside the house managed to disarm him and hold him down until officers arrived. Two people received only superficial injuries that did not require a trip to the hospital. The suspect was taken into custody and booked into the Salt Lake County Jail.
According to KSL, the man was identified as 42-year-old Martin R. Espino Camacho. He was booked into the Salt Lake County Jail on investigations of aggravated burglary, aggravated assault, causing property damage, public intoxication, and assault. In a booking affidavit, officers wrote that Camacho allegedly entered the home through an unlocked door while "holding a large Katana sword" and advanced toward a resident before the occupants managed to disarm him and use physical force to keep him restrained until police arrived.
How residents stopped him
Officers noted in the affidavit that Camacho "appeared to be under the influence of a controlled substance" and, according to KSL, made bizarre comments about being dead and his head existing in multiple dimensions. Residents held him down on the floor and waited for officers to get there. Authorities later described the injuries to the people inside the home as superficial, including a scratch to one resident's chest and a minor kick-related injury to another.
Charges and penalties
Under Utah law, aggravated burglary is treated as a first-degree felony when an offender uses or threatens to use a dangerous weapon or causes bodily injury, as outlined by Justia. Aggravated assault can be filed at heightened felony levels when it involves serious injury or the use of a weapon, according to Utah Code summaries on FindLaw.
Police response and next steps
West Valley City police say the investigation is ongoing and have not released any information about a possible motive. Anyone who might have additional details is asked to contact the West Valley City Police Department.
