YAKIMA COUNTY, Wash.-Bail has been set at $100,000 for a 50-year-old Wapato man suspected of stabbing another man at a party.
According to probable cause documents from Yakima County Superior Court a Wapato Police Officer responded to an assault in progress with a knife on October 7.
A witness at the scene reportedly told the officer that a male walking toward the Wapato Police Department was the suspect in the stabbing.
The suspect stood at the front door of the Police Station with his hands up, but did not comply with commands from WPD Officers to get on the ground. According to court documents blood could be seen on the suspect’s clothes, hands and flip-flops.
The suspect was taken into custody without incident and placed in the back of a patrol car while officers investigated. The stabbing victim was found around the corner from the Police Station.
The male victim reportedly had what looked like stab wounds on both sides of his back, as well as on his chest and under his left armpit.
According to court documents Officers learned through translators on scene that the victim had allegedly been stabbed by the suspect in custody after an argument over a cell phone.
The victim was transported to Yakima Valley Memorial Hospital for his injuries.
In an interview the suspect told police that he was at a party when four individuals allegedly wanted to fight him after he mistakenly took a cell phone that he thought was his.
According to court documents the suspect didn’t want to fight and tried to go to his bedroom, but when the four individuals followed him he grabbed a knife to defend himself.
The suspect admitted during the interview that he stabbed the victim and then ran to the Police Station because he is not a criminal.
According to court documents a second victim at the party who was slapped by the suspect as he left the apartment reported that the suspect was intoxicated and aggressive and upset about the location of his cell phone.
The stabbing suspect’s arraignment is scheduled for October 23, where he may face first and fourth degree assault charges.
