A Utah father was arrested after allegedly stabbing a registered sex offender 17 times after learning the man had made comments about his daughter.

Thad James Gurule, 32, was booked into the Carbon County Jail on charges of attempted murder, Fox13 reported. The incident occurred on Monday when emergency services were alerted to a man covered in blood on the porch of a home in Wellington. Response teams found the victim—whose name has not been released—with multiple stab wounds. Although he survived, his current condition has not been reported. The victim had been seen days earlier at a post office. According to the police statement quoted by local media, the victim said he did not know his attacker but claimed to have seen him days earlier at a post office. That detail proved crucial for investigators, who were later able to identify Gurule as the assailant. According to the report, the father admitted that he searched for information about the man online and discovered that he was a registered sex offender. That discovery, coupled with the comments he allegedly made about his daughter, is believed to have triggered his decision.

Gurule lured the victim outside his home

Police stated that Gurule walked to the man's apartment and convinced him to come outside, telling him they could take a walk and get some food. Once outside, he attacked him.

At first, Gurule denied the stabbing. However, he later confessed and said he had thrown the knife away at the scene, according to KUTV.

“He confessed and stated that he intended to kill the victim to protect his daughter,” the probable cause statement details.

Possible additional drug charges

During a search of Gurule's residence, officers found drug paraphernalia, marijuana, and methamphetamine.Therefore, the detainee will also face additional charges related to illicit substances. Authorities continue to investigate the case, which has garnered attention in the local community due to the brutality of the attack and the motives behind it.