SOUTH SALT LAKE, Utah, Aug. 10, 2024 (Gephardt Daily) — A South Salt Lake man was booked into jail Thursday after allegedly swinging a heavy, steel construction-type hammer at his neighbor, stating that “he is god and judgment day is coming.”
Justin Paul Abraham, 42, “was acting erratic all day and had been hitting items in his home with the hammer throughout the day, including his table,” the affidavit says.
“The victim said he walked out on his porch … and Abraham was on the porch holding the hammer.”
That’s when Abraham made the comment about god and judgement day, the statement says.
“The victim said Abraham told him to leave as he swung the hammer from the overhead position while holding with both hands attempting to hit the victim. The victim stepped back in an attempt to dodge the hammer, but the hammer made contact with the victim’s forearm as he shielded his face causing a scratch on the forearm.
“Abraham, again in the same manner, swung the hammer overhead while stepping toward the victim but the victim was able to get out of the way.”
The victim asked if he could return to his apartment, the statement says, “and Abraham would not let him. The victim retreated to his neighbor’s home, where they called police.”
Abraham was arrested for investigation of aggravated assault, a third-degree felony.
Charges will be determined by the Salt Lake County District Attorney’s Office.
