Lang
9/20/25
A new charge has been filed in connection with a reported Iowa City machete attack.
Online records show 45-year-old Thomas Paintin, a local transient, now faces an added charge of Assault Causing Bodily Injury. That’s on top of previous charges of Assault With a Dangerous Weapon, Person Ineligible to Carry a Dangerous Weapon, Possession of a Controlled Substance – 3rd or Subsequent Offense, and 2nd Offense Trespassing.
According to arrest records, just after 3:15 Tuesday afternoon Paintin was told to leave the apartment stairwell at 335 South Gilbert Street because he was trespassing. He reportedly replied by pulling out a 13-inch machete, pushing one person to the ground and another down a staircase, and threating to “kick their ass”. A small baggie of methamphetamine was allegedly found on Paintin’s person upon his arrest.
Paintin faces a maximum of nine years in prison, if convicted on all counts.