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South Ogden police subdue man after alleged sword assaults

By Mark Shenefelt - | May 23, 2022

Adobe Stock

SOUTH OGDEN — Police said they used a stun gun Sunday night to subdue a man who allegedly threatened his ex-girlfriend and two other people with a butterfly knife and a samurai sword.

Tristen Melnik went to his pregnant ex-girlfriend’s apartment to collect belongings because he had been kicked out, according to a South Ogden Police Department probable cause statement. The woman said the 19-year-old Melnik became angry when she told him she did not feel safe with him there.

A second woman went into the room to see what the commotion was about and Melnik allegedly pushed both women and shouted at them, then drew a butterfly knife and waved it at them, threatening to kill them.

Melnik threw down the knife and went to another room, returning with a samurai sword and allegedly pointed it at the two women and a man who had joined the confrontation. Melnik allegedly poked the man in the abdomen with the sword.

A police officer reported in the arrest affidavit that Melnik walked away from him outside the building and ignored several commands to stop. The officer followed Melnik into an adjacent parking lot, where the man allegedly turned toward the officer confrontationally. After more ignored commands, the officer shot the man with a stun gun and took him into custody.

Police said they found marijuana dabs on Melnik.

After waiving his rights, Melnik told police he took out a butterfly knife but denied waving it at the apartment occupants or threatening them. He allegedly admitted to having a sword but denied poking the man with the blade. He said he hit him with the handle end.

Melnik was held without bail at the Weber County Jail on suspicion of three counts of third-degree felony aggravated assault and misdemeanor charges of obstructing justice, criminal mischief, threat of violence, assault of a pregnant person, possession of marijuana and drug paraphernalia, disorderly conduct and intoxication.

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