Arizona man charged with aggravated assault after allegedly stabbing fiancée

Zachary Velasquez has been charged with aggravated assault following an alleged attack on his fiancée, Emily Byles, in Glendale, Arizona. The incident occurred on October 5, approximately one month before the couple's scheduled wedding.

According to police reports and victim statements, Velasquez allegedly attacked Byles with scissors, causing multiple stab wounds, a cut artery, and dozens of blows to her head. Byles reported that Velasquez had been using methamphetamine and claimed he was a prophet attempting to kill her to save her.

Byles' 11-year-old daughter is credited with saving her mother's life by calling 911 during the assault. While the attack also reportedly threatened Byles' two daughters, both children remained physically unharmed. Velasquez admitted to punching Byles and using a chokehold but claimed the violence was an act of self-defense.