Police: Teen charged with stabbing Taylorsville couple did not know victims

TAYLORSVILLE, Utah — A 15-year-old boy has been charged in connection to the stabbing of a Taylorsville couple early Tuesday morning. Officials with the Taylorsville Police Department said they determined the incident was a random act of violence.

At approximately 3:50 a.m. Tuesday, officers were dispatched to a home near 4800 South and 3400 West, where two victims in their late 30s to early 40s were found with multiple stab wounds.

“In addition to providing first aid, dispatched officers established a containment area, with the help of patrol officers, including those from West Valley Police Department, police K-9 units and police drone teams,” read a Wednesday afternoon press release from the Taylorsville Police Department.

Police said the teen was later found at a construction site a few blocks away from the scene. He was arrested without incident and taken to the police station for questioning.

Teen in custody after stabbing Taylorsville couple in home, police say

Detectives determined the teen, who was identified Wednesday as a resident of West Valley City, entered the home through an unlocked door.

“We believe he entered the home with the intent to commit an assault,” Taylorsville Police Sgt. Jake Hill said.

Once inside the home, police say the teen came across the two homeowners — a husband and wife — asleep in their bed. He approached them and allegedly began assaulting the man with a knife.

“The woman fled but the suspect followed and began assaulting her on a neighbor’s front porch. Her neighbor called 911, and about the same time, her husband also called 911 from their home,” the release states.

While those calls were being made, the suspect fled the area. When officers arrived on scene, the couple was treated and then transported to an area hospital with life-threatening injuries.

“They have since undergone extensive medical care and both are in stable condition and expected to live,” the release stated.

Police said a child was also in the home at the time of the attack but was unharmed and apparently had no contact or encounter with the suspect. On Tuesday afternoon, the teen was booked into detention on multiple felony charges, including assault and burglary.

“Through investigation, detectives were able to determine that the juvenile suspect had no relationship or prior dealings with the couple.”

The suspect’s identity has not been release due to his age.