SALT LAKE CITY, UTAH – September 11, 2015 (Gephardt Daily) – More than 30 felony charges have been filed against a man for his role in an alleged kidnapping and attempted killing of two women last month.
The Salt Lake County District Attorney’s Office has filed charges against Valentin Dulla Santarromana, 37, for his alleged role in the crimes on August 22 in Salt Lake County.
Santarromana is being held in the Salt Lake County Detention Center in lieu of $1 million cash-only bail.
In the Probable Cause Statement, it is alleged that Santarromana held two women, identified as “J.A.” and “J.J.H.” against their will in a Salt Lake County home. Santarromana was allegedly armed with a handgun and meat cleaver.
The defendant shot “J.J.H.” 15 times. Santarromana allegedly sexually assaulted “J.A.” and shot her five times. When SWAT police arrived at the residence, Santarromana allegedly fired several shots at them.
Santarromana is charged with numerous felonies; 15 first degree felonies including attempted criminal homicide, aggravated murder, each of which is punishable by a sentence of up to life in prison, and 16 second and third degree felonies which are punishable by up to 15 years and five years, respectively.
According to Salt Lake County Sheriff Jim Winder, the siege began around 8 a.m. with officers from Unified Police responding to reports of gunshots near 725 East 3300 South.
As officers and medical teams arrived, they discovered “J.J.H.”, who is a family friend, had been shot while intervening in an argument between her friend and her estranged husband inside the residence. “J.J.H.” was immediately rushed to Intermountain Medical Center in Murray.
Winder said the gunman, identified as Santarromana, took his wife, “J.A.”, 42, hostage inside the home after “J.A.” and “J.J.H.” arrived to retrieve some of her belongings and found Santarromana home. “J.J.H.” heard “J.A.” and Santarromana arguing so she went to the front door to check on her friend.
During the ensuing siege, the suspect spoke with police negotiators by cell phone for several hours. The standoff came to a violent end after police disabled the man’s cell phone. Sheriff Winder said SWAT team members were attempting to deliver an “alternative communications device” when the suspect opened fire with a heavy caliber weapon.
Sheriff Winder said entry ways to the home were blocked with reinforced barricades and the natural gas had been turned on in an attempt to trigger an explosion.
The gunman ultimately ended up in the basement, where police say he shot his wife. A short while later, Sheriff Winder said, the suspect gave himself up and allowed police to rescue the hostage.
Police said the alleged shooter is well known to police. They verified they have responded to a number of domestic violence calls at the home over the course of the last few months, including the week prior where Santarroma threatened to kill himself and his wife. He was placed in the hospital and subsequently completed a 72 inpatient hold at their psychiatric unit.
If you, or someone you know is in an abusive relationships and need help you can contact the Utah Domestic Violence Hotline, 1-800-897-LINK (5465).
