The Durango Police Department is investigating two separate cases of attempted murder reported during the past few days in Durango.
The first incident occurred around 12:01 a.m. Saturday when emergency personnel received a call of a possible stabbing at the Spanish Trails Inn & Suites, 3141 Main Ave.
When contacted by police, the victim, identified as 25-year-old Gabriel Wagoner, had his right lower pant leg “covered with blood, as were both of his hands,” according to an arrest affidavit. The officer observed a “very severe, very deep laceration” below Wagoner’s knee, according to the affidavit.
Wagoner told police he was stabbed by James Clouse, 55, at the Spanish Trails. Wagoner said he had kicked Clouse out of the rented room after Clouse did not help pay for the room for several weeks, resulting in the altercation.
Police found Clouse early Saturday at the Spanish Trails. When police encountered him, Clouse pulled out a knife and refused to drop it, according to the affidavit. An officer unholstered his gun and pointed it at Clouse, ordering him again to drop the knife, the report says.
According to the arrest affidavit, Clouse told the officer “(expletive) you” and that he “wasn’t going to drop anything.” Officers eventually used a Taser on Clouse and were able to place him in custody and seize the knife.
Clouse told conflicting stories to officers about what happened that night, according to the affidavit. He was taken to the La Plata County Jail on suspicion of attempted murder and obstruction of a peace officer.
The second incident happened around 2:30 a.m. Monday when officers responded to a reported shooting at the Budget Inn, 3077 Main Ave., said Cmdr. Ray Shupe, with the Durango Police Department.
Shupe said police have several people in custody, but the investigation remained active as of Monday afternoon. He declined to release any more information on the incident other than to say the victim survived the shooting.
jromeo@durangoherald.com
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