She took too long at the gym, so he allegedly dragged her by her hair to the car
An investigation into a report that a man dragged a woman by her hair and shirt to a car because she had taken too long getting ready after a workout at a Bellingham gym revealed two previous alleged assaults severe enough for the victim to seek medical attention.
Bellingham police booked Marcus M. Williams into Whatcom County Jail Tuesday, Dec. 31, on suspicion of second-degree assault, fourth-degree assault, second-degree identity theft, interfering with the report of domestic violence, felony harassment and reckless endangerment. Williams was later served in jail with a second warrant for suspected second-degree assault, and jail records show he is being held in lieu of $100,000 bail.
Officers responded at 6:41 p.m. Tuesday to the 1700 block of North State Street after receiving a report that a man had dragged a woman to a car and drove away, Lt. Claudia Murphy told The Bellingham Herald.
An investigation showed that Williams and the victim had gone to the gym and gotten into argument, and Murphy said when the victim took too long getting ready, Williams became angry. When she walked outside, Williams reportedly grabbed her by the back of her hair and shirt and dragged and pushed her toward the car, witnesses told police.
Police went to their residence and placed Williams under arrest.
An interview revealed that Williams made a threat to kill the victim, Murphy said, and police learned of another assault on Oct. 23, when Williams reportedly punched the victim in the head and face with closed fists.
During that assault, the victim lost consciousness and couldn’t see clearly, Murphy said. When she came to, Williams didn’t believe the victim and reportedly dragged her by her feet to another room in the house, threatened her to keep quiet and took her wallet, keys and cell phone before leaving.
The victim was able to get help and went to the hospital to seek treatment for her injuries, which Murphy said were consistent with being struck in the head and shoulders.
Further investigation after Williams’ arrest uncovered another assault on Dec. 8, Murphy said. In that incident, Williams reportedly pulled the victim off the couch by her leg and swung her body so that her head hit a piece of furniture. The victim suffered a severe laceration to her head that required eight staples at the ER to close.
Resources
If you or someone you know is experiencing domestic violence or sexual assault, you can contact the following local resources for free, confidential support:
▪ Domestic Violence & Sexual Assault Services: 24-hour Help Line: 360-715-1563, Email: info@dvsas.org.
▪ Lummi Victims of Crime: 360-312-2015.
▪ Bellingham Police: You can call anonymously at 360-778-8611, or go online at cob.org/tips.
▪ WWU Consultation and Sexual Assault Support Survivor Advocacy Services: 360-650-3700 or wp.wwu.edu/sexualviolence/.
