The Attack Unfolds

On a Saturday afternoon in Salt Lake City, what started as a casual lunch between two men turned into something far more sinister. Jose Manuel Perez, 24, sat across from his companion at what should have been an ordinary meal. But inside Perez’s mind, something dark was taking shape.

Without warning, Perez began striking the other man. The victim attempted to flee, but Perez wrapped his arm around the man’s neck in a chokehold. The victim struggled as Perez held him tight, preventing any chance of escape.

The Wooden Weapon

The situation grew more terrifying when Perez pulled out a wooden stake. This was no ordinary piece of wood — a metal nail protruded from one end, making it a deadly weapon. Perez held the makeshift stake and spoke words that revealed his twisted thinking.

He told his victim that he was a werewolf. Perez said he planned to pierce the man’s heart with the wooden stake. The victim found himself trapped with someone who believed he was facing a supernatural monster that needed to be destroyed.

The Escape and Theft

The victim managed to fight back against his attacker. He broke free from Perez’s grip and ran from the scene. But Perez was not finished. Before fleeing himself, he grabbed the victim’s backpack and took it with him.

Multiple people witnessed the attack and called the police. Officers received several reports about a man attacking another person with a weapon. The calls came in during the afternoon hours, alerting authorities to the strange and violent incident.

Police Investigation

When officers arrived, they began searching for the suspect. They found Perez still carrying the victim’s stolen backpack. Police also discovered that he had filled his pockets with rocks, suggesting he was preparing for additional confrontation.

During questioning, Perez gave police his version of what happened. He claimed he was armed because he thought the victim was going to kill him. This statement revealed that Perez genuinely believed he was in danger from what he saw as a supernatural threat.

Perez admitted to taking the backpack but denied it was a robbery. He told officers that police would return the bag to the victim, as if this somehow made the theft acceptable.

Criminal Charges Filed

The Salt Lake County Metro Jail received Perez after his arrest. Authorities charged him with aggravated robbery, which carries serious penalties as a first-degree felony. The charges reflect the violent nature of the attack and the theft that followed.

Even in today’s modern society, deeply held beliefs of supernatural creatures can lead to real-world violence. Perez’s actions were driven by his conviction that he was dealing with something inhuman and dangerous.

Werewolf Beliefs Through History

Stories about werewolves have existed since the beginning of recorded history. These tales describe humans who transform into wolf-like creatures, often during full moons. In many cultures, werewolves are seen as dangerous beings that hunt and kill innocent people.

Traditional methods for dealing with suspected werewolves have included various weapons and rituals. Silver bullets, wooden stakes, and other tools were thought to be effective against these creatures. Some believed that piercing a werewolf’s heart would end its supernatural existence.

These old beliefs have persisted in modern times through movies, books, and television shows. While most people understand these stories as fiction, some individuals continue to believe in the reality of supernatural creatures living among us.

Mental Health Considerations

Cases like this one often involve underlying mental health issues. When someone becomes convinced that ordinary people are actually dangerous supernatural beings, it can signal serious psychological problems that need professional attention.

The belief that others are werewolves, vampires, or other monsters can be a symptom of various mental health conditions. These beliefs can seem completely real to the person experiencing them, making them feel justified in taking extreme actions.

Mental health professionals have documented numerous cases where people have attacked others based on supernatural beliefs. These incidents show how important it is to recognize when someone’s thinking has become disconnected from reality.

Legal Consequences

The legal system treats attacks based on supernatural beliefs the same as any other violent crime. Courts do not consider belief in werewolves or other creatures as a valid defense for assault or robbery.

Aggravated robbery charges carry severe penalties, including potential prison time. The use of a weapon during the crime makes the charges more serious and increases the possible punishment.

The victim in this case suffered both physical harm and the psychological trauma of being attacked by someone who believed he was a monster. Recovery from such an experience can take considerable time and may require professional support.

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Source: KUTV

NOTE: Some of this content may have been created with assistance from AI tools, but it has been reviewed, edited, narrated, produced, and approved by Darren Marlar, creator and host of Weird Darkness — who, despite popular conspiracy theories, is not an AI voice. (AI Policy)