Man appears in court in Lake Shore-area hammer attack

A 29-year-old Vancouver man appeared in Clark County Superior Court on Tuesday morning for a potential charge of first-degree assault, stemming from his alleged attack with a hammer on a passerby.

Sione Suli Jr. entered the courtroom wearing a suicide-prevention smock. Judge Bernard Veljacic appointed a defense attorney to represent Suli, who appeared confused when the prosecutor asked three times to verify his name.

Senior Deputy Prosecutor James Smith said Suli has prior convictions for violent crimes. Smith asked for and was granted a bail of $350,000 in the case. He also noted that Suli may suffer from mental health issues.

According to a probable cause affidavit, Suli’s wife said he has bipolar disorder and schizophrenia.

She said she and Suli were in their front yard Monday afternoon when Suli attacked the man, according to the affidavit.

A deputy said the victim had been struck with a hammer, and Suli threw the tool into a nearby yard.

The brother pushed Suli away from the victim, stopping the assault, according to the affidavit.

Clark County Sheriff’s Office said in a Monday press release that the victim was taken to a hospital with possible life-threatening injuries.

The incident sent several Lake Shore schools into lockdown temporarily.

Veljacic said a mental health evaluation would likely be needed for Suli. He set the next hearing in the case for Friday.