Man allegedly pulls knife, nearly hits victim with SUV during Bellingham park argument
A Bellingham man was arrested Monday evening after he reportedly pulled a knife during an argument with another man at Squalicum Creek Park, used racially derogatory terms toward the victim and then nearly struck the victim with his SUV.
Police booked Brandon Keith Pickett, 46, into Whatcom County Jail Feb. 24 on suspicion of attempted first-degree assault and felony harassment, and jail records show he is being held in lieu of $50,000 bail.
Bellingham police are still investigating the hate crime aspect of the incident, Lt. Claudia Murphy told The Bellingham Herald in an email, and further charges may be coming.
Officers responded to the park at approximately 5 p.m. Monday for the report of threats with a knife, Murphy reported. As police were arriving, they saw Pickett and stopped him near the park.
According to Murphy, the police investigation revealed:
▪ The victim and Pickett, who did not know each other, were both at the park when, for no apparent reason, words were exchanged. Pickett made several racially derogatory remarks toward the victim and tried to provoke a fight.
▪ Pickett pulled out a knife and held it to his side while still making racial and inflammatory remarks and walking up to the victim and a witness.
▪ Pickett eventually walked away but kept staring at the victim, who was calling 911.
▪ While the victim was attempting to get Pickett’s license plate number to give to 911, Picket stopped in front of his SUV, turned around, pulled the knife out again and yelled at the victim again.
▪ Pickett then got into his SUV, reached into the center console, closed the door and accelerated, running over the curb and across the sidewalk and straight toward the victim.
▪ The victim attempted to get out of the way, but slipped and fell backward, twisting his ankle. Pickett came to a stop just short of the victim, accelerated backward and left the park at a high rate of speed.
Several witnesses saw and heard varying parts of the argument between Pickett and the victim, Murphy reported.
