A 25-year-old Greeley man has been arrested for investigation of attempted second-degree murder and violation of a restraining order after he allegedly attacked his former girlfriend, who told authorities he choked her so hard she blacked out.
Taken into custody Sunday by Weld County sheriff’s deputies was Waldo Ysmael Gamez, described by investigators as the former boyfriend of the 22-year-old victim.
The woman, who is not being named by The Post, said that she and Gamez had been arguing when he pushed her to the ground, hit her twice in the face and choked her until she blacked out.
Later, she said, Gamez threw her into the snow and held her down making it difficult for her to breathe. She said she pleaded with him to stop and finally was able to leave and call authorities.
Weld County Sheriff John Cooke said that when deputies arrived, they noticed the woman was coughing up blood, and paramedics were called. She was taken by ambulance to North Colorado Medical Center and treated for injuries to her neck, throat, left arm and face.
Deputies found Gamez walking about a quarter of a mile away and arrested him, said Cooke.
During the investigation, Cooke said investigators discovered a restraining order prohibiting Gamez from having contact with the woman.
In addition to the alleged assault and restraining-order violations, Gamez was jailed for investigation of third-degree assault and an outstanding warrant for a probation violation on a non-related harassment charge.
Gamez is being held in the Weld County Jail in lieu of $145,000 bail.
Howard Pankratz: 303-954-1939 or hpankratz@denverpost.com
