A Cortez woman survived three shotgun blasts after being beaten nearly unconscious last weekend. Her common-law husband has been identified as the suspect.
Garrett (Ty) Baxstrom, 38, of Cortez, is suspected of beating his common-law nearly unconscious and then firing three shotgun blasts at her on Saturday, Aug. 15. District Attorney Will Furse said official charges could be filed as early as next week.
In a two-page affidavit, Montezuma County Sheriff Deputy Donnie Brown wrote that he responded to a residence on the 8000 block of U.S. Highway 160 for a cold disturbance just after 11 p.m. on Aug. 15 and found a 37-year-old woman covered in blood and dirt.
The woman reportedly suffered gunshot injuries to her right arm and right thigh, and had multiple lacerations to her face, head, arms and back. She told the deputy that she was holding the couple’s 2-year-old daughter as Baxstrom repeatedly punched her in the face and head.
“He tried to kill me,” she said, according to Brown’s report.
After the alleged attack, Brown noted that the woman hid in a ditch for about two hours before walking to a neighbor’s home to call 911. Two pools of blood measuring 12 inches in diameter were found at the scene, according to the report.
Within two hours, Baxstrom was reportedly apprehended about a mile from the crime scene, driving a Chevrolet Trailblazer.
Baxstrom is being held at the Montezuma County jail under a $250,000 bond. He faces a felony investigation for attempted second-degree murder and first-degree assault.
According to court records, Baxstrom was advised of his rights before Montezuma County Court Judge Jennilynn Lawrence on Monday, Aug. 17. The court issued a protection order for the woman.
tbaker@cortezjournal.com