BELLINGHAM, WA (MyBellinghamNow.com) – A Tacoma man is in custody following a stabbing outside the severe weather shelter in Bellingham.
Bellingham Police Lt. Claudia Murphy says officers were called to the shelter on N. Forest Street at around 8:30 a.m. on Tuesday.
Witnesses told officers that the suspect, identified as a 24-year-old man, had stabbed one of the other visitors outside the shelter following an argument they had the night before.
The victim had three wounds to his back, arm and rib and was sent to PeaceHealth St. Joseph’s Medical Center with non-life-threatening injuries.
The suspect fled the scene, but one of BPD’s bike officers found and arrested him downtown a few hours later.
Whatcom County Health and Community Services says it’s increasing shelter security following the incident and police will be doing extra patrols near it on Wednesday night.
The department adds that the shelter has a strict no-weapons policy which visitors are required to sign before they come in.
Wednesday is the last night the winter shelter will be open until more opening dates are announced.
