A Utah man is facing multiple charges after allegedly attempting to stalk and kidnap his ex-girlfriend in Arizona, prompting a high-speed police response and a self-inflicted gunshot wound. Zakary Preece, 31, removed his ankle monitor and traveled to Glendale, Arizona, to find his ex, according to the Maricopa County Attorney's Office, via Fox 10 Phoenix.
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The incident began on October 25, 2023, when the Payson Police Department in Utah contacted Glendale authorities to report that Preece had removed his ankle monitor and was headed to Arizona. Police later found a notepad at Preece's Utah home that contained his ex-girlfriend's address. Investigators confirmed the victim, who had relocated to Arizona, was being targeted by Preece.
Preece was already facing trial in Utah on charges stemming from a September 2023 domestic violence incident involving the same woman. He was accused of holding her at gunpoint in her Utah apartment and threatening to return and "finish the job" if she reported the incident to police. Following his arrest, Preece was released on an ankle monitor.
From Utah to Arizona
After traveling to Glendale in October, Preece's ex-girlfriend told police she believed he intended to kill her before his trial, scheduled for November 2024. According to court documents, the victim's father reported that he saw Preece driving past the victim's home on October 31 and then stopping in front of it. He followed Preece to a nearby semi-truck parking lot and contacted authorities.
When Glendale Police arrived and attempted to make contact with Preece, they saw one of his hands outside the vehicle window, but not both. As officers gave commands for him to surrender, they heard a gunshot and believed Preece had shot himself. After exiting the vehicle, Preece was apprehended by police and transported to a local hospital for treatment, per local news outlets.
During a search of a rental home in Glendale, authorities found additional weapons, restraints, and surveillance equipment. Preece is now facing charges of attempted kidnapping, stalking, unlawful discharge of a firearm, and interfering with judicial proceedings.
He remains in custody as he awaits trial.
