Victims recall sledgehammer attacks at court hearing

Nicole Thompson wasn’t sure if she would make it home alive when she brought back a pizza to her family in Henderson. As she drove closer to her home, Thompson said she was hit several times with a sledgehammer.

She was one of several witnesses to take the stand at the Boulder City Justice Court Wednesday during the preliminary hearing for Damien Robins, the Las Vegas man who is charged with attacking 10 people, including three from Boulder City, with a sledgehammer Oct. 24.

Robins, 32, allegedly began the attacks in Boulder City about 7:15 p.m. after police said he struck the windshield of Susan Davis’ car with a sledgehammer in the 7-Eleven parking lot after asking her if she was lost. Davis was able to put her car in reverse and drive away.

About 20 minutes later, police said Robins attacked John and Pamela Wright as they walked back to their motorhome.

According to the report, Robins stopped in the middle of the road and asked the Wrights if they were lost. Shortly after, police said Robins began hitting them with a sledgehammer, rendering Pamela Wright unconscious.

Robins then returned to his vehicle and drove north on U.S. Highway 93 where police said he ran two drivers off the road and attacked them several times with a sledgehammer.

Robins then drove into Henderson and cut off a driver at Greenway Road and Horizon Drive where he allegedly attacked the driver with the sledgehammer before getting back in his car and driving to Heather Drive, according to Henderson police.

That’s where Thompson said Robins boxed her in and hit her back windshield and driver’s side door with the sledgehammer.

Thompson said Robins hit her at least seven times in the face, shattering her cheekbone and an eye orbital. She said the injuries have prevented her from opening her mouth all the way.

“I just didn’t want to die,” she said on the witness stand.

Robins then drove to Foothill High School where he allegedly hit Steve Macres in the back of the head with the sledgehammer. Macres, who lives in Henderson, said Robins told him he was going to kill him during the attack. Robins fled as officers were arriving, police said.

Robins, police, said, then attacked two more cars before he surrendered to police about an hour after the attacks began.

He faces 19 counts, including six counts of attempted murder, three counts of assault with a deadly weapon, seven counts of battery with a deadly weapon, and kidnapping.

Robins’ preliminary hearing was not finished in time for the Boulder City Review’s deadline.