Man chases a ‘pastor’ who tried to stop a domestic incident, police say
Dec 21, 2024, 6:45 PM
FILE - Handcuffs used at the decommissioned Draper Prison. (KSL TV)
(KSL TV)
SALT LAKE CITY — A suspect in a domestic violence incident chased two bystanders after they tried to stop him from assaulting his girlfriend.
Merrit Rex Guymon, 64, was booked into the Salt Lake County Jail on suspicion of aggravated assault, a third-degree felony, and damaging a communication device, a class-B misdemeanor, according to the police affidavit.
On Thursday, a Unified police officer responded to a domestic incident after a caller reported that a man, later identified as Guymon, was beating a woman in a parking lot.
When the officer arrived, the caller said they tried intervening, but Guymon began chasing them. The affidavit reported, “a pastor tried to stop the arrestee, who then began chasing the pastor.”
The caller said the victim went into her home and Guymon followed her.
According to the affidavit, the victim approached the officer and said Guymon was her boyfriend. She said they were driving in the car when he punched her in the face.
“They continued to argue and he pushed victim out of the vehicle at a stop light,” the affidavit stated.
According to the affidavit, the victim was able to return home and locked Guymon out. She told Guymon that she wanted her house key, but he refused.
The affidavit stated that the victim tried to get her phone from the car to call police, but Guymon “slammed the car door on her,” began strangling her with both hands and said, “he would kill (the) victim.”
According to the affidavit, the victim was able to kick Guymon off her and the caller tried to intervene.
Police were able to arrest Guymon inside of the home. Officers reported finding the victim’s phone in his possession.
Domestic violence resources
If you or someone you know is going through abuse, help is available.
- The Utah Domestic Violence Coalition operates a confidential statewide, 24-hour domestic abuse hotline at 1-800-897-LINK (5465).
- Resources are also available online at the Utah Domestic Violence Coalition website.
- YWCA Women in Jeopardy program: 801-537-8600
- Utah’s statewide child abuse and neglect hotline: 1-855-323-DCFS (3237)
National Domestic Violence Hotline: 1-800-799-7233
