Two attempted murder arrests at Trappers Lake Lodge
By Greg Masse
Post Independent Staff
May 15 was a bad day for workers at the Trappers Lake Lodge in the Flat Tops.
In two completely separate incidents, two men were arrested at the lodge on attempted murder charges and two other men were injured – one seriously – as a result of the two assaults.
The first incident occurred in a bunkhouse at the lodge, Garfield County Sheriff Lou Vallario said.
According to the sheriff’s office news release, 26-year-old Rocky W. York Jr. pulled out a knife and began threatening people. He then allegedly cut another man on the palm of his hand.
“Then he allegedly grabbed his girlfriend’s .44-caliber handgun and started threatening people,” Vallario said.
York turned himself in Monday to the Rio Blanco County Sheriff’s Office, where he was picked up by Garfield County sheriff’s deputies and brought to the Garfield County Jail and booked on charges of attempted second-degree murder, second-degree assault, felony menacing, reckless endangerment, disorderly conduct and prohibited use of a weapon.
Vallario said York posted a $10,000 bond that day and left jail.
In the other incident, the manager of the Trappers Lake Lodge, 47-year-old Terry Ethington, got into a scuffle with one of his employees and fired that employee, Vallario said.
Somehow the two became involved in an argument that turned violent, Vallario said. Ethington then allegedly started beating the fired employee with a flashlight, breaking his nose and an orbital bone in his face.
Ethington was arrested on charges of attempted second-degree murder, second degree assault, driving with a suspended license, and criminal attempt.
Contact Greg Masse: 945-8515, ext. 511
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