Crime

Whatcom County authorities arrest man accused of attacking neighbor with ax

Whatcom County Sheriff’s Office vehicle file photo.
Whatcom County Sheriff’s Office vehicle file photo. The Bellingham Herald

Whatcom County authorities arrested a 46-year-old man Tuesday morning on suspicion of first-degree assault after he allegedly attempted to attack his neighbor with an ax.

Whatcom County Sheriff’s Office spokesperson Deb Slater said the man allegedly used an ax to break into his neighbor’s home on the 1200 block of Lattimore Road in Ferndale at about 3:30 a.m. Tuesday.

The man broke down the door and began swinging the ax toward his neighbor, Slater said. The neighbor was able to block the attack, but suffered a minor cut to his arm. The 46-year-old then grabbed a knife and held it in a “threatening manner,” according to Slater.

The man was arrested at 11:30 a.m. and booked into Whatcom County Jail on suspicion of first-degree assault and first-degree burglary. He is being held without bail, and he has yet to be formally charged.

Hannah Edelman
The Bellingham Herald
Hannah Edelman joined The Bellingham Herald in January 2025 as courts and investigations reporter. Edelman resides in Burlington. Support my work with a digital subscription
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