A man has been arrested for domestic assault one year after being released from prison for attempting to murder a previous girlfriend.
Phoenix police report that on October 1 they responded to a home near 32nd Street and Osborn Road.
There they found a woman with "numerous injuries to her face and head."
The victim reported to police that her boyfriend, 38-year-old Christian Gonzales Soto, came home and found her trying to leave the relationship. Soto allegedly struck the woman in the face and arms and then pulled a handgun and threatened the woman's family.
He then reportedly hit her several times in the head with the gun.
The woman reported to police that she had been trying to leave Soto for several months when she found out he shot his last girlfriend, who was also trying to leave him.
According to the Department of Corrections website, Soto served 16 years in prison for attempted murder and was released last October.
Upon his most recent arrest, Soto reportedly told police that he came home and found his room ransacked. He admitted arguing with the victim but denied assaulting her.
He's been charged with aggravated assault.
If you or someone you know is the victim of domestic or sexual violence, there are several local and national organizations offering resources. Anyone in need of immediate assistance should contact either the Maricopa County Shelter Line at 480-890-3039, the National 24-Hour Domestic Violence Hotline at 1-800-799-7233, the National Sexual Assault Hotline at 1-800-656-HOPE (4673), or the Arizona Coalition to End Sexual and Domestic Violence at 602-279-2900. A number of organizations are available 24 hours a day for anyone at risk of experiencing domestic or sexual violence. See a directory of domestic violence programs here.
