Man allegedly cuts woman with ax, threatens to ‘chop her up’

A man was arrested after he allegedly threatened a woman with an ax and a gun, according to Maricopa police.

Edmond A. Smith, 54, was charged with aggravated assault, threatening or intimidating, criminal damage, unlawful imprisonment and disorderly conduct, police said.

Officers responded to a home on West Portis Drive in Desert Passage on the evening of Jan. 4 for a wellness check, according to a probable cause statement.

The woman told police that Smith had threatened her and cut her neck with an ax. She had a small laceration on her neck, police said.

The woman said she and Smith were arguing when he came into her bedroom with the gun and ax, police said. When she attempted to leave the room, he allegedly grabbed her arm and pushed her against the wall. As she stood up from the floor and sat on the couch, Smith allegedly told her he was going to “chop her up,” the probable cause statement said.

When she attempted to stand, Smith allegedly grabbed her again and threw her against the wall, this time leaving a hole in the wall, police said. He stood by the stairs and allegedly told her she was not going downstairs because he was “going to kill her,” then pointed the gun at his own head stating he would end his life right after, police said.

The woman told officers she feared for her life.

She said Smith allegedly told her he was going to play Russian Roulette with her and took ammunition out of the gun, leaving just one round in the chamber, the probable cause statement said.

Smith was arrested and taken to Pinal County Jail, where he remained as of Friday, according to online inmate records. He had an arraignment hearing set for Friday.