The alleged assailant in a stabbing outside of a Hazel Dell bar early Saturday morning is an employee of that bar and was reportedly intervening in a parking lot disturbance, court records state.
The victim, identified in court records as Nathan Simonds, suffered multiple stab wounds, according to the Clark County Sheriff’s Office, and was taken by his girlfriend, Michele Miller, to Legacy Salmon Creek Medical Center for treatment.
Simonds’ injuries were considered life-threatening, and he immediately underwent surgery, according to a probable cause affidavit filed in court.
Daniel Perez Rodriguez, 26, of Vancouver appeared Monday morning in Clark County Superior Court on suspicion of first-degree assault in connection with the alleged altercation in the parking lot of 99 Saloon Bar and Grill, 7005 N.E. Highway 99. Rodriguez is a cook at the bar, court documents show.
Deputy Prosecutor James Smith said during the hearing that Simonds is still hospitalized and in serious condition.
Deputies responded to a call at about 2:40 a.m. from the hospital for a man who was brought there after being stabbed.
Witnesses told detectives that Simonds was being disruptive and was asked to leave the bar prior to closing. After closing, employees were walking to their vehicles in the parking lot when they overheard a disturbance in Miller’s vehicle, prompting one of the employees to intervene, the affidavit states.
Simonds reportedly assaulted that employee, so a second employee, identified as Rodriguez, stepped in. A physical confrontation ensued, and Rodriguez stabbed Simonds, according to court documents.
Rodriguez was later contacted by phone, and he agreed to meet with detectives. After being interviewed, he was booked into the Clark County Jail on suspicion of assault.
During his hearing, Judge Bernard Veljacic initially set Rodriguez’s bail at $100,000 but then decided to cut that amount in half. Rodriguez’s court-appointed attorney, Shon Bogar, said in an email that family members and the owners of 99 Saloon Bar and Grill were present at the hearing.
He will be arraigned May 23.
