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WEST VALLEY CITY — The West Valley police investigation continues in a domestic violence situation that could also involve a potential homicide victim.
Arresting documents allege a man was holding his wife hostage since Nov. 1 with little food. The woman told police that she witnessed him kill another woman.
On Sunday, a police spokesperson said they have not been able to confirm or rule out a homicide.
Neighbors on this seemingly quiet street are still trying to figure out what happened at the home located at 3360 S. Greenmont Drive where police say a woman called 911 for a domestic violence situation involving her husband.
Friday night the SWAT Team was forced to knock down the front door after the man barricaded himself inside with a firearm.
"The suspect fired several gunshots inside the residence, eventually he exited the residence through a rear door and tried to flee on foot and was apprehended by a police K-9," said West Valley Police Lt. Sean McCarthy.
The suspect received minor medical treatment after the officer K-9's arrest, according to McCarthy.
Garman Shaun Cunningham, 50, also had a sword when he came out of the house and had been throwing objects from a window at officers prior to exiting, according to a police booking affidavit.
"There were flashing lights here, every intersection was blocked off no one could get in or out," said neighbor Ryan McNatt.
"After that it was just nonstop police and crime scene people here for over 12-14 hours," McNatt said. "There were over a dozen little white vans and undercover cop cars."
Nearly 48 hours after the incident, West Valley police still had a 24-hour patrol unit sitting outside the home.
Information in arresting documents could shed some light on their ongoing investigation.
The court documents say the victim told detectives that Cunningham held her hostage since Nov. 1, forcing her to drink WD-40. Furthermore, the woman told police she witnessed Cunningham kill another woman and dispose of the body, the affidavit says. However, police have not released any other information about that allegation.
"(It's my guess) someone had to have died, because they wouldn't do all this even for just a hostage if everyone got out safely," said McNatt.
McNatt thinks Cunningham is a handyman or works in construction. He had a big dumpster and several trucks parked in front of the home that police hauled away.
Another neighbor told KSL that an elderly woman also lived at the home but hasn't been seen in a few weeks.
On Sunday, a police spokesperson said the scene is being secured while the investigation is underway.
