A 72-year-old Vancouver man appeared in Clark County Superior Court on Wednesday in connection with a stabbing Tuesday at a home in Hazel Dell.
Loy W. William has been jailed on suspicion of domestic violence-related first-degree assault. Judge David Gregerson set William’s bail at $100,000. An arraignment hearing was scheduled for Nov. 4.
William allegedly stabbed a roommate at a house at 7003 N.E. 31st Ave. shortly before 5 p.m. Tuesday, according to the Clark County Sheriff’s Office.
The victim, Robert L. Jones, called 911 and reported that William stabbed him and entered their home, according to a probable cause affidavit. Deputies arrived moments later and met Jones, who was walking south down the avenue away from the residence. He was shirtless and pressing a wadded up T-shirt against his left pectoral.
Jones reported to a deputy that he was outside when William tried to fight him. Additionally, he said William had threatened him with a machete the day prior, according to a probable cause affidavit.
Medics treated Jones at the scene before taking him to PeaceHealth Southwest Medical Center. In an interview at the hospital, he told investigators that he did not remember what William said to him before being stabbed with what was described as a 6-inch switchblade.
The affidavit does not give further detail of what precipitated the stabbing but says that law enforcement responded to the same address Sunday, when William reported that Jones threatened him and used racial slurs. That incident was determined to be verbal-only and deputies did not make any arrests.
While investigators were questioning the victim at the hospital, an emergency room doctor expressed concern that the knife had punctured Jones’ heart, and he’d need to be prepared for surgery.
A PeaceHealth spokesperson said Wednesday that Jones remained at the hospital in satisfactory condition.
Back at the scene, deputies detained William about 40 minutes after they’d been dispatched. Court records do not say whether William was interviewed. Deputies noted that he had clothing matching a description provided by Jones.
The case remains under investigation by the Clark County Major Crimes Unit, according to the sheriff’s office.
