VERNAL — Three Uintah County men are facing felony charges after a violent home-invasion attack that left a Vernal man with more than a dozen stab wounds and one of his alleged attackers with a bullet hole in the leg.

Montana John Stubbs, 21, is charged in 8th District Court with attempted murder, aggravated burglary and attempted aggravated robbery. Uintah County Attorney G. Mark Thomas also charged Stubbs with aggravated assault as an alternative to the attempted murder charge. Both counts are second-degree felonies that carry the same sentence.

"Attempted murder requires a specific intent to cause the death of an individual," Thomas said. "It's a legal issue. As we work through the evidence, we can narrow down how we want to approach that," based on the intent required for an attempted murder conviction.

Investigators believe Stubbs, Kaden Chase Holmes and Lynn T. Richens were involved in an Aug. 21 attack on a man who was living in one of a collection of dilapidated trailers and mobile homes on a large lot at 1070 S. Vernal Ave.

The 50-year-old victim told detectives he woke up that morning and found Stubbs and Holmes in the room where he was sleeping. Stubbs was armed with a knife and Holmes had a handgun, according to charging documents.

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"The victim said he was able to gain control of the handgun and fired two rounds as the males ran out of the residence," the charges state. "Once outside the residence, the victim sat on his porch and realized he was bleeding severely."

The injured man was able to walk to the front of the property, where he collapsed near Vernal Avenue and was found by passersby who called 911. The man had "14 independent puncture wounds to his upper back, torso, buttocks and thigh," the charges state.

"Some of the wounds caused significant injuries that were, in fact, very life threatening," Thomas said. "It was a very violent attack. The victim was fortunate to have the strength to get to a position where he could get help."

Deputies found a 9mm pistol near the injured man, checked the serial number and determined that Richens had purchased the gun, the charges state. They also learned Stubbs was at Ashley Regional Medical Center in Vernal seeking treatment for a through-and-through gunshot wound to his left thigh.

"In addition, (Stubbs) had bruising on his left knee … a puncture wound near his right knee, and cuts on his hands and wrists," detectives wrote.

During an interview with detectives, Stubbs allegedly said he had gone to the victim's home with Richens and Holmes to buy drugs. He said Richens remained in the trailer's living room while he and Holmes went to the victim's bedroom, the charges state.

"Mr. Stubbs stated an altercation began between the victim and (Holmes), with the victim striking (Holmes) with a small propane bottle," detectives wrote. "During the altercation, Mr. Stubbs said (Holmes) stated, 'He's got the gun.'"

Holmes told detectives "things went badly in the trailer" and once the homeowner gained control of the gun Holmes fled the trailer, leaving one of his shoes behind, the charges state. He also told investigators the men had gone to the trailer "to collect a debt," but later said they were there "for drugs or to get high."

Stubbs and Holmes have prior convictions for drug-related offenses while Richens has a pending drug possession case, court records show. Still, it was unclear Thursday exactly why the trio went to the victim's house, according to Thomas, who believes the men "specifically targeted" the victim.

"They believed that he had something they wanted, whether it was cash or something else," the prosecutor said.

Richens chose not to speak to investigators when he turned himself in to police. During a search of his house after his arrest, detectives found two explosive devices inside a safe in the master bedroom, according to charging documents.

Richens, 25, and Holmes, 23, are each charged with aggravated burglary, aggravated assault and attempted aggravated robbery. Richens is also charged with two counts of possession of an explosive device.

All three men remain in the Uintah County Jail. They are due in court Sept. 1 for a status hearing.

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