Suspect Allegedly Stabs Man, Dog After Victim Identifies As Christian

A man allegedly stabbed a Parkland, Wash. resident and his dog early Sunday after confronting the victim in a convenience store parking lot about his religion, authorities said.

Pierce County Sheriff’s deputies responded around 6:30 a.m. to a 911 call from Eddie Nitschke, who reported that an unknown assailant attacked him in the parking lot where he, his girlfriend, and their two dogs were living out of their car, according to the Seattle-based KING 5. Medics rushed Nitschke to a hospital and transported the dog to a local animal hospital, both in serious condition from their injuries.

Nitschke said the encounter began when the suspect approached and asked him about his faith. Nitschke initially said he was not religious, but the man pressed him.

“I said, ‘I’m not religious,’” Nitschke said. “And he goes, ‘Well, what religion are you?’ I said, ‘I guess Christian.’”

Nitschke said the suspect then accused him of stalking — an allegation he denied — before launching the attack. The assailant reportedly struck him multiple times with two knives, puncturing his lung. During the assault, Nitschke told his girlfriend to release their dog, which lunged at the attacker and was stabbed as well.

“My shirt was drenched with blood,” Nitschke said.

Deputies canvassed the area with K-9 units and spotted the suspect around 8:45 a.m. fleeing into a residential neighborhood. A deputy confronted the man in a backyard and found him armed. Deputies later killed the suspect following the brief