West Valley City man arrested for alleged death threats against former employer

WEST VALLEY CITY, Utah (ABC4) — A West Valley City man has been arrested for allegedly making threats toward a former employer after being unable to get legal help against them.

Troy Aaron Martin, 51, was arrested and is being held on potential charges of threat of terrorism, prohibited dangerous weapon conduct, possession of a controlled substance, and endangerment of a child.

According to arresting documents, on June 26, 2025, Martin’s therapist contacted the West Valley City Police Department (WVCPD) after a session. The therapist reported that Martin had stated that “if he did not receive the legal resolve” he wanted from a previous employer, he would “take matters into his own hands.”

Allegedly, when the therapist asked for clarification, Martin stated that he would take his firearms and “kill the people that had wronged him at his previous employer and then kill himself.” Due to the threat of violence, the therapist made a mandatory report to the police.

When investigators with WVCPD looked into the case, they found that he had made similar threats in December 2024 while speaking with an attorney. The attorney allegedly told Martin that he did not have a case against his previous employer, and Martin responded that “if he did not get someone to represent him,” he would “possibly carry out a mass shooting.”

Police contacted Martin’s previous employer, and the business stated that they had taken action to prevent Martin from entering the building or posing a danger to employees. The employer placed signs with Martin’s photos, hired outside security, and placed license plate reader security cameras to prevent him from coming onto the property.

On July 23, search warrants were served at Martin’s residence in connection with the investigation. Police located two firearms and “several large bags and a 5-gallon bucket” containing marijuana. Because a child lived in the home, officers believed the large amount of marijuana was child endangerment. WVCPD took Martin into custody and brought him to the station for an interview.

During the interview, Martin allegedly admitted that he owned two firearms and used marijuana daily. He also told police that his usage had increased since he started having issues with his previous employer, and that he used it to self-medicate depression and ADHD.

Police asked Martin about the threatening statements he allegedly made during his therapy session. The man responded that he “never made a threat” but did say that if he was unable to get a legal remedy to the situation with his previous employer, “a shooting may occur.”

Martin reportedly went on to say that he “may be the type of person that could harm his family” if he “did not get the help he feels he needs.” Officers asked about his statements during his conversation with the attorney, and Martin confirmed that he had told the attorney he would kill the people who wronged him and then himself.

Martin was booked into the Salt Lake County Jail, where he is currently being held without bail. He has not been formally charged, but police believe he poses a threat to his family and his former employer and has impacted their business with his threats.