Woman Stabbed By Man Who Then Returned To Stab Second Woman Who Witnessed Attack

TACOMA, WASHINGTON — Two women were stabbed by a man at a residence around 7:45 a.m. Saturday. Police received a 911 call from a woman screaming for help, telling dispatchers that her mother had been stabbed. A 39-year-old man suspected of a double stabbing Saturday morning in Tacoma has been arrested, police said.

Arriving officers quickly located a 41-year-old woman inside the home suffering from stab wounds and immediately provided lifesaving measures. Officers also found another woman, 44, in a vehicle behind the residence.  She also had apparent stab wounds and was unresponsive, and officers also provided lifesaving measures to her. Both women were transported to a local hospital, the 41-year-old with non-life-threatening injuries, and the 44-year-old with life-threatening injuries.

The investigation revealed that the 41-year-old had witnessed the stabbing attack on her 44-year-old neighbor.  The male suspect fled the scene, but then returned to the scene and stabbed the witness who was providing first aid to his first victim.  He then fled the scene for the second time. The 41-year-old victim was able to alert her daughter, who then called 911.

Detectives working the case were able to identify a 39-year-old suspect, and he was arrested at a Tacoma residence Wednesday. He was booked into the Pierce County Jail, charged with first-degree domestic violence assault, first-degree assault, and first-degree robbery.

Had either of the women been armed with a firearm, they clearly would have been justified in using lethal force to defend themselves or each other.