BELLINGHAM — A 24-year-old man was arrested and charged with the murder of his father Thursday after he allegedly attacked his parents with a knife.

Bellingham Police say Brian H. Williams repeatedly stabbed his father, 52-year-old Mark Williams, during an argument at the family’s home at 3634 Home Road, off McLeod Road. The mother, 50- year-old Connie Williams, also was stabbed during the attack and called 911.

Mark and Connie Williams were found bleeding from stab wounds in their chests when police arrived shortly after 1 a.m.

Both were taken to St. Joseph Hospital, where Mark Williams died shortly after. Connie Williams was listed in satisfactory condition Thursday.

It is unclear what provoked the attack, but police said an argument may have begun when Brian Williams was awakened by his father to take medications.

Connie Williams was stabbed while trying to break up the fight between her husband and son, police said. Once she was able to get the knife from her son, she ran from the home and called for help.

Brian Williams then grabbed another knife from the kitchen and continued to attack his father, police said. Officers found both men in the dining room area of the home. Mark Williams had grabbed the second knife from his son but already had been stabbed several times, police said.

Brian Williams made a first appearance before Whatcom County Superior Court Commissioner H. Edwin Simmers Thursday afternoon. Williams was charged with second-degree murder and first-degree assault and had his bail set at $500,000.

Williams was advised of his rights and replied to Simmers’ questions with one-word answers. He often stared into space or at the ground during the hearing.

The Williams family moved to Bellingham this fall from Spokane, where Mark Williams served as conductor and artistic director of the Spokane British Brass Band for nearly eight years, said band manager Kit Cutler.

“He was a very popular musician around Spokane,” said Cutler, who knew Williams for 13 years. Cutler said Williams had also been an elementary school music teacher in the area, and wrote beginning band books and sheet music for junior high and high schools across the nation.

Grant Williams, who identified himself as the brother of Mark Williams and uncle of Brian Williams, spoke at the hearing, saying his nephew was highly compassionate but suffered from mental health issues.

“Brian is equally the victim … in this tragic case,” Grant Williams said. “This was not the typical act of rage.”

Bellingham Police Sgt. Ken Brown said investigators were currently contacting friends and family in the Spokane area to see if Brian Williams’ mental health issues may have been involved in the incident.

“We haven’t established anything conclusive on that at this point, but we’re looking into it,” Brown said.

Beth Kurtz, who has lived on Home Road for a decade, said a loud commotion woke her about 1 a.m., prompting her husband to call 911. Kurtz, who said the Williams family had lived in the house next door for less than a year, had never heard any other disturbances from the house.

“It’s unnerving, especially as it sinks in more,” said Kurtz, who said she had never spoken to the Williamses. “It’s a relatively safe neighborhood. I think it’s just one of those unfortunate things that can happen anywhere.”

Cutler said Mark Williams had continued to travel to Spokane to volunteer for the band. “(Mark) was the soul of the brass band,” Cutler said. “He was a fantastic guy. Even after he moved (to Bellingham) he was driving over every other week for rehearsals until we found another director. We haven’t found one yet.”

Brian Williams’ next court date is scheduled for Jan. 11.