Wife’s throat slashed by husband at ice cream shop

A 51-year-old local man is in jail and was arrested and booked into jail on Thursday, July 13, after allegedly cutting his wife’s throat at a Soap Lake ice cream shop.

Samuel Montoya, of Quincy, allegedly fled the scene and surrendered at the Ephrata Police Department on Thursday.

He has been booked into the Grant County Jail for investigation of attempted first-degree murder. During his initial court appearance on Friday, July 14, a Grant County judge issued a no-contact order with the victim, and his bond was set at $1 million. 

Emergency responders were called around 11:45 a.m. to the Tutti Frutti Bar ice cream shop at 27 Daisy Street South. 

Police found a woman on the front sidewalk bleeding from the front of her neck, reports say. 

Bystanders could be seen giving first aid to the woman. 

Reports say the woman told police her husband had cut her throat with a knife, and she was transported by air ambulance to Confluence Health-Central Washington Hospital in Wenatchee. Her current condition is unknown as of the time of publication.

Several agencies responded to the scene, including the Grant County Sheriff's Office, Grant County Fire District #7, Ephrata Police Department, Life Flight Network, and Lifeline Ambulance.

The case is still under investigation.

During Montoya’s first appearance in Grant County District Court, Prosecution reported that Montoya said to his wife, "If I can't have you, no one can," before slashing at her again.

Prosecutors said Montoya smiled when he was told the victim was still alive.

His arraignment is set for July 25 at 1:30 p.m.