A Grand Junction man faces a second-degree murder charge after allegedly stabbing a Cortez man May 25 near the Speedway gas station at Main and Cactus streets.
According to a Crime Watch alert released by Cortez Police Department, 62-year-old Blake Welling stabbed a 38-year-old man during an altercation.
According to a police report written by officer Kurtiss Baumgartner, the victim was identified as David Grauberger.
In Baumgartner’s narrative, Welling told police that he got into a fight with Grauberger two nights previously after getting off a bus from Grand Junction. It was unclear what the fight was about.
On May 25, Welling approached Grauberger, asking whether they still had a problem. The altercation escalated when Grauberger blocked Welling’s cart full of his possessions, and “tried to push (Welling’s) cart off the curb,” Baumgartner reported.
Welling said he acted in self-defense, believing Grauberger would try and kill him.
Baumgartner explained that surveillance footage showed Grauberger push the cart, and attempt “to punch (Welling) twice.” The footage further shows Welling pulling the knife out of his right pocket and Grauberger stepping back before being stabbed.
The victim entered the Speedway station after being stabbed. He reportedly collapsed by the ATM just inside the door.
At 8:20 a.m., Baumgartner was informed that Grauberger died at the hospital from a severed ventricle.
Welling was jailed at the Montezuma County Detention Center, and Baumgartner suggested charges of second-degree murder and fighting in public, according to the report obtained by The Journal.
Welling is expected to appear in Montezuma County Combined Courts for a return filing of charges June 13 at 9:30 a.m.
