A man accused of stabbing an acquaintance early Sunday morning at a Vancouver AM/PM is now facing a murder allegation after the victim succumbed to his injuries.
The victim is identified in court records as 27-year-old Lukas Pison. Medical staff at PeaceHealth Southwest Medical Center determined Pison was “brain dead” when he arrived, as a result of a stab wound to the side of his head; he died at the hospital nearly 16 hours later, court records state.
Pison’s nephew, Kastro Pison, 19, was struck in the head with a tire iron during the altercation. He suffered a laceration above his right eye that required sutures.
On Monday morning, Charson Lotius, 24, appeared in Clark County Superior Court on suspicion of first-degree murder and second-degree assault.
Lotius appeared wearing a suicide-prevention smock, given to inmates who may try to harm themselves with standard jail clothing. He spoke through a Chuukese interpreter.
Judge Scott Collier set Lotius’ bail at $800,000. He will be arraigned Friday.
Vancouver police were called about 1:20 a.m. to the AM/PM at 1800 N.E. Andresen Road for a disturbance with a weapon. Upon arrival, they found Lukas Pison lying in the parking lot with a knife in his head, according to an affidavit of probable cause filed in the case.
Lotius was found hiding in the tree line west of the AM/PM. Police said he had what appeared to be blood on his shirt and right thumb. They located a tire iron next to where he was hiding, the affidavit states.
Video surveillance from the AM/PM captured Lotius charging at Pison as the man backed away. Pison tried to kick at Lotius to keep him at bay, but Lotius swung and stabbed Pison in the side of the head. Pison dropped to the ground and was motionless, court records said.
In an interview with detectives, Lotius admitted to trying to hurt Pison, whom he knew, but said he couldn’t remember what actually happened or whether he had a knife, because he was drunk, according to court documents.
Lotius said he was scared for his life but was unable to say why, the affidavit states.
Detectives also interviewed Lotius’ girlfriend, Suevyann Bossy, who was present during the altercation. She said she drove Lotius and her uncle, Fisianty Bossy, to the AM/PM, where they saw Pison. Her uncle and Lotius greeted Pison, court records said.
But then a man who was with Pison came out of the store and appeared to be drunk, Suevyann Bossy said. An argument broke out between the men. Bossy told detectives that Pison did not threaten Lotius and was unarmed. She witnessed Lotius stab Pison, according to court documents.
Kastro Pison said that after Lotius stabbed his uncle, he began chasing the man. That’s when Lotius struck him in the head with the tire iron, the affidavit states.
