A Utah father faces an attempted murder charge after reportedly stabbing a sex offender 17 times for making comments about his daughter.
Thad James Gurule, 32, allegedly stabbed the unidentified man near a shed after asking the victim if he wanted to join him on a walk and get some food, ABC 4 reported, citing court documents. Gurule allegedly confessed to planning to kill the man for comments regarding his daughter.
Cops said he admitted to gesturing that the victim ought to “think again before making comments about his daughter.”
Utah dad accused of stabbing sex offender over 17 times after he ‘made comments’ about his daughter https://t.co/NdPVCc2pVr pic.twitter.com/cyTvGzfUXb
— New York Post (@nypost) December 8, 2025
Police said they responded to a Wellington, Utah, residence around 12:20 a.m. on Dec. 1 and located the victim with multiple stab wounds and “lacerations throughout his body.” The victim was transported to a local hospital where medical staff said they determined he was stabbed 17 times, according to FOX 13 Now. No other updates about his condition have been shared.
The victim told police he had met his alleged attacker at the post office several days prior but did not know his name. Police identified Gurule as the suspect and spoke with him at his residence. Gurule allegedly confessed to assault and told investigators he’d done an internet search on the victim and learned he was a registered sex offender.
While he initially denied stabbing the victim, Gurule said he threw the knife away at the scene, authorities said. Police said Gurule was accused of attempted murder because the evidence suggests a premeditated attack with an intent to kill, KUTV reported.
“He confessed, stating that he intended to kill [the victim] to protect his daughter,” police said in a probable cause statement cited by the outlet.
Police allegedly found methamphetamine and other drug paraphernalia while executing a search warrant of Gurule’s residence, prompting drug charges. (RELATED: Teen Arrested For Alleged Part In Brutal Mob Beating Of Couple During Rowdy Car Meetup)
Gurule has been booked into the Carbon County Jail, ABC 4 reported.
The Daily Caller contacted the Carbon County Sheriff’s Office, who deferred to the Wellington City Police Department. The Wellington City Police Department did not immediately respond.