Condition improves for victim in ax attack

The condition of one of the victims in Thursday’s violent attack by an ax-wielding man in the central valley was upgraded today.

A hospital official at University Medical Center said Monica O’Dazier’s condition was fair, upgraded from critical. A condition was not available for a second surviving victim, Sandra Castro, who was taken to Sunrise Hospital and Medical Center in critical condition after the attack.

Police say O’Dazier and Castro were ambushed by 33-year-old Harold E. Montague, who struck the women with a 2 1/2-foot medieval battle ax. Killed in the attack was 4-month-old Damian Avila Castro, believed to be Castro’s son. O’Dazier is Montague’s sister-in-law.

The violence began inside Montague’s home at 1609 San Pedro Ave., near Sahara Avenue and Maryland Parkway, before spilling out into the street.

Police said after Montague stabbed O’Dazier more than 20 times, he ran into the street and started attacking Castro and the child.

Montague was booked into the Clark County Detention Center on charges of murder, two counts of attempted murder and an additional count of attempted murder on a police officer.

Police said he threatened to kill an officer and unsuccessfully grabbed an officer’s shotgun when police confronted him. He was subdued by a Taser shot.

His first court appearance is scheduled for Tuesday.