MONROE — A 32-year-old man has been charged with attempted murder after he allegedly slashed the throat of a female victim with whom he lived in Argyle.

The ordeal began on Tuesday, April 11, 2023, just before 8:20 p.m., when the Lafayette County Sheriff’s Office received a 9-1-1 call from 109 Railroad Street in the Village of Argyle reporting that a 59-year-old had been cut with a kitchen knife. 

“A Lafayette County Deputy arrived on scene at 8:27pm, and found the female victim had been cut with a kitchen knife across her neck and hands as well as several superficial puncture wounds,” said Sheriff Reg Gill, in a statement. “The female victim was transported by ambulance to the Monroe Hospital with substantial, but non-life-threatening injuries.”

After an investigation and initial interviews, Joseph A. Wallgren was taken into custody at the scene shortly after deputies arrived. Wallgren was initially charged with attempted first degree homicide. The victim underwent surgery but is expected to recover.

Wallgren remains in Lafayette County Jail on $500,000 bond set during an initial appearance in court Thursday afternoon. 

According to the criminal complaint, Wagner lived with the victim and may have been suffering from some type of mental health issue. He reportedly heard the victim talking to another person and from that conversation, inferred that she was going to hurt a child.

“I think she was going to eat the child…that’s what came in to my head,” Wallgren allegedly told police shortly after the incident. “…I’ve been telling my family that I’ve been hearing voices…too.”

He then went into a bedroom, restrained the victim and slashed her throat, before another apparent resident of the home rushed in and pulled Wallgren off of the victim.

“Well, I just wanted to do it quick, you know?” Wallgren told police, before added that he apologized to the victim and that “I think I need help.”

Lafayette County Sheriff’s Deputies were assisted on scene by Argyle EMS, the Argyle Police Department, the Green County Sheriff’s Office and Green County EMS. 

The incident remains under investigation.  

Wallgren’s next court appearance is scheduled for 2 p.m. April 21 before Circuit Judge Duane Jorgenson. Attempted first-degree homicide is a Class B felony in Wisconsin, punishable by a maximum of 60 years in prison. 

According to court records, Wallgren was convicted of disorderly conduct following a 2021 incident in Lafayette County.