Police: Spokane Valley assault suspect struck victim with hammer

May 20, 2022 12:01 PM

Posted: May 20, 2022 12:01 PM

Updated: May 20, 2022 12:02 PM

Credit: Spokane County Sheriff’s Office

SPOKANE VALLEY, Wash. — The suspect in a violent assault at a Spokane Valley apartment complex remains on the run.

The Spokane Valley Police Department has not identified the suspect by name but said he knew the victim.

The assault happened Thursday evening at the Loma Vista Apartments on Havana.

Investigating deputies learned the male suspect called the victim saying he wanted to come pick something up from the apartment. The suspect and another adult man arrived and then hung out there for a while.

The victim told the police the suspect picked up a small hammer and began striking him in the head, unprovoked. The victim was ultimately able to escape into the parking lot where he contacted emergency crews who were there for an unrelated incident. He was then taken to the hospital for an evaluation.

Deputies searched for the suspect, but could not locate him.

Less than an hour later, a person reported seeing a man jump into a garbage can on E. Sprague. Deputies responded and found a man they believe accompanied the suspect to the apartment earlier that night. He was identified, interviewed and released without charges.

The investigation remains active. The victim has been released from the hospital.

When located, the suspect could face a felony assault charge, among others.