The Zion Times

STABBING VICTIM SAYS HE IS BEING PUSHED OUT OF HIS HOME DAYS AFTER SURVIVING BRUTAL ATTACK

By: Sachet A. Carter | The Zion Times
In Cedar City, locals have long referred to Mountainview Mobile Home Park by the nickname: “Little Tijuana.”

Hidden just off Main Street near the center of town, the aging trailer park feels like its own pocket of another world tucked inside Cedar City — narrow lanes lined with tightly packed trailers, Spanish music drifting through the night air, children riding bikes between units, barking dogs behind chain-link fences, and residents gathered outside beneath dimly lit porch lights.

Last week, the quiet rhythm of the neighborhood was shattered when a man was stabbed 27 times inside his own home. Shortly after being released from the hospital, he says he was evicted from the place where the attack happened.

Azule described the park itself as quiet and isolated despite its reputation in the community.

“Everyone sticks to themselves,” he said.

‘I THOUGHT HE WAS TRYING TO KILL ME’

Azule said he had been asleep in the front room of the trailer the night of the attack when he suddenly woke up to Borges standing over him holding two box cutters.

Then the stabbing started.

“There was blood everywhere,” Azule recalled.

As he fought back inside the cramped trailer, Borges allegedly slashed him repeatedly across the shoulders, arms, wrists, face, and head. Several of the wounds across his shoulders appeared to measure between six and eight inches long.

Then the attack became even more brutal.

“He stabbed me in the head and right eye multiple times,” Azule said. “Then he began twisting the blade in my head.”

“I thought he was trying to kill me.”

Bleeding heavily and struggling to see, Azule said he eventually managed to break away and flee through the back door of the trailer before hiding outside until he heard the front door slam shut.

Before running, he remembers looking back and seeing Borges staring down the hallway at him.

“He was just staring at me,” Azule said as he began to cry.

Nearly blinded by blood pouring into his eyes, Azule said he ran from trailer to trailer begging neighbors for help, but several homes never answered the door.

He later saw Borges leaving the trailer park on a bicycle before finally making it across the road to nearby townhomes where one resident answered the door and immediately called 911.

“Oh my God, stay right there, I’m calling an ambulance,” Azule recalled the man saying.

“I was bleeding a lot. I couldn’t see. I thought I was losing my vision.”

According to Azule, the resident stayed beside him, gave him water, and remained there until first responders arrived.

“I just want to thank that man,” he said.

“Other people wouldn’t answer the door,” Azule said through tears.

“I thought I was going to die,” he said as he pointed upward toward God as he spoke. “But he wouldn’t let me.”

INVESTIGATORS: ‘NON MOTIVATED CRIME’

Police searched for Borges through most of the night until a neighbor reportedly contacted dispatch after seeing him enter another trailer inside the park the following morning.

According to Azule and witnesses interviewed by TZT, a large law enforcement response — including SWAT officers and a K9 unit — surrounded the trailer during a standoff that lasted nearly two hours.

According to the probable cause affidavit, Borges eventually exited the trailer during a surround-and-callout operation while allegedly wearing clothing matching surveillance footage obtained during the investigation.

Investigators also alleged Borges’ hoodie was covered in cattails consistent with hiding in nearby fields overnight while avoiding law enforcement.

The affidavit states Borges later told officers:

“I did the crime, it was me, I did it,” but then refused to speak with authorities any further.

The probable cause affidavit additionally describes the incident as “by all appearance… a non motivated crime.”

Azule said he still does not know why Borges attacked him.

“I thought he was my friend,” he said again fighting through tears.

However, Sarah — a family friend who asked that her last name not be published — owns the trailer where Azule was staying and believes Borges may have been attempting to steal Azule’s vehicle. 

She told TZT that investigators towed the vehicle after the attack because blood was allegedly found throughout the car. 

Borges was initially charged with attempted aggravated burglary, a first-degree felony, and aggravated assault resulting in serious bodily injury, a second-degree felony. However, after the Iron County Attorney’s Office screened the case, prosecutors added additional charges including attempted homicide, a first-degree felony, and vehicle burglary, a class A misdemeanor. 

Sarah also stated Borges had allegedly disabled exterior security cameras mounted around the trailer before the stabbing occurred.

‘SOMETHING HAPPENED TO ME… NOW I’M GETTING KICKED OUT’

According to Azule, surviving the attack was only the beginning.

Shortly after being released from the hospital, Azule said he learned he was being forced out of the trailer park.

Sarah told TZT she contacted Mountainview Mobile Home Park owner Lynda Tran shortly after the stabbing to inform her what had happened.

According to Sarah, Tran initially apologized.

However, Sarah said she later received a phone call from Tran stating Azule “was not on the lease” and could no longer stay at the property.

Sarah disputes that claim.

She provided TZT with copies of the rental agreement listing three occupants connected to the residence, including Azule and his 13-year-old son.

The lease additionally states:

“The word ‘Tenant’ shall be deemed to refer to a Tenant and any other person residing on the Premises with the approval of the Tenant or the owner of the trailer using it as a rental.”

The lease lists three occupants, including Jerry Azule — directly contradicting Tran’s earlier statements to Sarah claiming she did not know Azule lived in the trailer. While Sarah and her brother are listed as the leaseholders, the agreement also specifically identifies her brother, Azule, and Azule’s 13-year-old son as occupants of the residence. 

Sarah also provided TZT with an August inspection text message allegedly sent by Tran which stated:

“Space 36 has passed inspection based on the photos provided… Contract extended through 2026.” 

The written lease reviewed by TZT describes the arrangement as a month-to-month tenancy beginning in January 2025. However, Sarah said the trailer park also conducts annual inspections and compliance reviews which determine whether residents are allowed to continue renting their space. 

According to Sarah, she asked Tran directly whether Azule was being removed because he had been attacked.

She said the message went unanswered.

In a phone interview with TZT, Tran denied Azule was a tenant despite being informed TZT had reviewed lease documents listing him as an occupant connected to the residence.

Tran later stated the arrangement was “month to month.”

When asked about a text from Tran in August stating the contract had been extended through 2026, Tran responded:

“Maybe I should have said it’s approved through next month.”

Tran also stated:

“He’s listed as an occupant not a tenant.”

Later in the interview, Tran stated:

“Sarah and Jerry are contractually liable for the space.”

When TZT questioned how Azule could be contractually liable for the space but allegedly not a tenant, Tran shifted the conversation to Sarah’s brother, stating he works “firework” jobs and is often gone for extended periods also adding “he doesn’t live there.” At one point, Tran appeared to confuse Azule with the brother while discussing who actually lived at the residence. 

During that conversation, Tran claimed she had heard the dispute was “related to drugs” based on statements from other tenants.

However, when asked whether she could verify the allegation, Tran acknowledged the information was “hearsay.”

Court documents reviewed by TZT do not contain allegations connecting the attack to drugs.

Azule also denied the allegations stating he doesn’t do drugs and hasn’t drank alcohol in two years.

When asked whether a formal eviction process would be initiated, Tran stated legal proceedings could become expensive.

“I have to take another call, report whatever you’re going to report,” Tran said before ending the interview.

Approximately two hours later, after TZT requested the correct spelling of her legal name for publication purposes, Tran attempted to retroactively classify prior statements made during the interview as “off the record.”

“All information previously disclosed is provided strictly on an off-the-record basis, and must be treated as confidential tenant information protected from disclosure. Thank you.” Trans message read. 

TZT declined the request, noting no off-the-record agreement had been established before or during the conversation. 

‘YOU NEVER THINK THIS IS GOING TO HAPPEN TO YOU’

During the interview, Azule sat covered in visible staples, lacerations, and bandages.

Several wounds remained visible around his right eye, head, shoulders, and upper body.

Azule spoke emotionally about the attack during his interview with TZT.

“You never think this is going to happen to you,” he said.

During the interview, Azule broke down crying while describing the trauma left behind by the attack. 

He said he still sees Borges staring at him down the hallway every time he closes his eyes — the same haunting look he remembers seeing as he escaped through the back door and made one last glance at his attacker before running for his life.

“Something happened to me,” Azule said through tears. “And now I’m getting kicked out. That’s not right.”

Sarah told TZT that Azule moved to Cedar City to be closer to his son Arsenio, and his grandchildren. Friends describe the 55-year-old as a quiet man who enjoys drawing, making friends, attending church, and spending time with family.

Now recovering from dozens of stab wounds, Azule said he hopes to eventually find a new home where he feels safe.

Sarah told TZT that Azule has applied for disability benefits, but the approval process could take months — or even years. She said victim advocates through the Iron County Attorney’s Office have been assisting him following the attack, but fears he may need additional community support as he recovers.

Azule said he hopes to eventually find a new place to live and no longer feels safe returning to the trailer where the attack happened, also expressing additional concern for his dog, Launa, who he said has barely left his bedside since the stabbing.

Community support is welcomed as Azule continues recovering from the attack. Those wishing to assist with housing, recovery expenses, meals, transportation, or support for Launa can contact The Zion Times and information will be forwarded to the family.

BORGES REMAINS JAILED AS CASE MOVES FORWARD

Court records reviewed by TZT show Borges has a prior criminal history in Iron County, including a 2024 burglary case in which he was accused of breaking into a trailer and causing thousands of dollars in damage.

In that case, Borges was also accused of assaulting officers while in custody and was later ordered into competency restoration services through the Utah State Hospital before eventually being found competent to stand trial in 2025.

Court records show Borges later pleaded guilty to burglary of a dwelling and assault by a prisoner.

INDIVIDUALS LISTED ON THIS PAGE HAVE BEEN BOOKED INTO IRON COUNTY JAIL AND ARE ACCUSED OF THE FOLLOWING CRIMES BUT ARE PRESUMED INNOCENT UNTIL AND UNLESS PROVEN GUILTY IN A COURT OF LAW.