SPRINGVILLE, Utah — Police say a man died after being stabbed early Saturday morning in Springville, and a man has been arrested for the alleged murder.
Springville Police said they received a report of a stabbing around 3:15 a.m. At the scene, they found a 28-year-old man who had been stabbed. He was taken to the hospital in critical condition but ended up dying from his injuries.
Investigators identified 23-year-old Jaxson Clift as the suspect and took him into custody. He was booked on charges of aggravated murder, aggravated assault, obstruction of justice, and criminal mischief.
Police said Clift is from Bluffdale, and he and the victim were "recent acquaintances."
According to arresting documents, Clift and the victim began texting each other Friday evening. Police said Clift sent the victim an address in Bluffdale, and the victim responded and said he was on his way.
Investigators later learned that at one point in the night, the victim and Clift were together in a vehicle that was involved in a traffic stop.
Then between 2-3 a.m., Clift reportedly texted the victim and said, "why you scared," "pull back up," and "Pull up where I work you'll have more problems than me I promise you that [sic]." The victim replied, "That's ok I know where you work I'll see you soon."
Then around 3 a.m., Clift allegedly texted "Good luck finding me" before sending the victim's own address to him, accompanied by "Mean anything to you?" Clift also sent a photo of the victim's house and his car. The victim replied, "That's koo [...] I'll see you soon." About five minutes later, police received a call from a witness reporting that the victim had been stabbed.
Doorbell camera footage showed the victim walking out of his home and getting into a fight with someone before walking back inside, visibly bleeding.
According to the police report, Clift sent the victim texts after the stabbing, saying, "I'd leave it alone if I were you tryin to play," along with apparent threats to the victim's family.
Police also said it appeared Clift slashed the tires on multiple cars parked outside the victim's home.
"Our hearts go out to the victim’s family and friends for their tragic loss," Springville PD wrote in a press release.
