Stabbing in Galena Leads to Assault on an Officer

According to a police report from the Jo Daviess County Sheriff's office, Monday, July 10th, at around 3:40 am, the Jo Daviess County Sheriff’s Office Dispatch Center received a 911 call reporting a stabbing on Red Gates Road, in rural Galena, Illinois.

When deputies arrived on scene they located 25-year-old Zakkary L. Wasmund outside of the residence. He stated to arriving officers that his father, James M. Wasmund, 54, was inside the residence with his girlfriend, Jennifer L. Velzis, 42, and that he had been stabbed. Deputies approached the residence and removed James M. Wasmund from inside and then escorted him to safety.

Deputies then attempted to take Jennifer L. Velzis into custody at which time she resisted arrest while armed with a knife. Velzis then barricaded herself inside the residence alone. At this time, both Zakkary and James Wasmund were transported to the hospital where James was treated for his injuries.

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Deputies then secured the scene while Velzis remained barricaded inside the residence refusing to come out or cooperate. The Northwest Illinois Critical Incident Response Team was activated to assist in the apprehension of Velzis. The suspect was eventually taken into custody by the Northwest Illinois Critical Incident Response Team from inside the residence. She continued to resist arrest after refusing to comply with lawful orders to exit the residence.

Veliz was charged with:

• Aggravated Battery – Class 3 Felony
• Aggravated Domestic Battery – Class 2 Felony
• Resisting A Peace Officer – Class A Misdemeanor
• Aggravated Battery To A Peace Office – Class 1 Felony
• Aggravated Resisting A Peace Officer – Class 4 Felony

Assisting Agencies included:

• Galena Police Department
• East Dubuque Police Department
• Northwest Illinois Critical Incident Response Team
• Galena EMS

This incident remains under investigation and all suspects are presumed innocent until proven guilty in a court of law.