A man and his dog were viciously stabbed in a seemingly unprovoked attack in Washington state, with the victim reporting that the assault followed a brief exchange about his religious beliefs. The incident, which occurred in the early hours of Sunday morning, has left the local community in shock and raised concerns about safety in the area.
Violent Encounter in Parkland Parking Lot
Eddie Nitschke, who resides in his vehicle with his girlfriend and two canine companions, was approached by an unidentified man in a convenience store parking lot in Parkland, approximately forty minutes from Seattle. According to Nitschke's account to emergency services and local news outlet KING 5, the suspect initiated a conversation by questioning his religious affiliation.
'I said, "I'm not religious". And he goes, "Well, what religion are you?" I said, "I guess Christian",' Nitschke recounted. This admission appeared to trigger the assailant, who then accused Nitschke of having followed him, a claim the victim vehemently denied, stating he had never encountered the individual before.
Frenzied Knife Attack and Canine Intervention
The situation escalated rapidly when the assailant, described as wearing a black beanie and long coat, produced two knives and began stabbing Nitschke multiple times. Dramatic footage from the scene captured the violent assault occurring in the middle of the road. In a desperate attempt to protect his owner, Nitschke's dog intervened in the struggle, only to be slashed by the attacker before the suspect fled the scene.
Both Nitschke and his injured dog were transported to medical facilities in serious condition. The victim sustained significant injuries, including a collapsed lung and a blood clot in his brain. Medical professionals also confirmed a pre-existing suspicion of lung cancer during his treatment.
Police Response and Fatal Confrontation
Law enforcement officers from the Lakewood Police Department, led by Charles Porche, launched an immediate search for the suspect. After locating the individual in a residential backyard armed with several weapons, deputies engaged the man. The suspect reportedly advanced towards officers with knives, prompting multiple deputies to open fire. The assailant was pronounced dead after being transported to a hospital.
In a chilling coincidence, Nitschke discovered he was being treated in a room adjacent to his attacker at the medical facility. 'And then I'm sitting there and then I hear "Code red, code red" and they wheeled the guy in right beside me in the next room,' he described, expressing conflicted emotions upon learning of the man's death.
Recovery Against Medical Advice
Despite his serious injuries, Nitschke made the decision to discharge himself from hospital care against medical advice. His primary concern was the wellbeing of his canine companion, who had undergone emergency surgery at a veterinary hospital and was subsequently released. 'They didn't want to let me go. I just don't want to be in the hospital. I wanted to find out about my dog,' Nitschke explained, highlighting the bond between pet and owner.
Community Reaction and Safety Concerns
Local residents expressed alarm following the violent episode, with several noting that such incidents have become increasingly common in the vicinity. One woman condemned the apparent religious motivation behind the attack, stating, 'To do something like that over somebody's religion is - that's crazy.' Another resident voiced serious safety concerns, telling reporters, 'I'm feeling like I'm gonna move. Like it's not safe.'
The Pierce County Sheriff's Department has confirmed they are actively investigating the circumstances surrounding both the stabbing and the subsequent police shooting. The case continues to develop as authorities piece together the events that led to this tragic confrontation in a Washington community.
