Crime

Ferndale man arrested, accused of stomping on another man’s head during fight

Handcuffs stock image
Handcuffs stock image Getty Images

A 21-year-old Ferndale man was arrested Saturday on suspicion of second-degree assault for allegedly punching and stomping on a man’s head in Bellingham.

Bellingham Police Department Lt. Claudia Murphy said officers were called to the 1300 block of Railroad Ave. at 12:17 a.m. Saturday for two men fighting among a group of six people. Officers reportedly found the 21-year-old stomping on the other man’s head when they arrived and took him into custody.

The other man was unconscious and was taken to St. Joseph Medical Center in Bellingham for treatment.

Officers viewed traffic camera footage as part of their investigation. Murphy said they learned the men got into an argument that turned physical, with both of them pushing each other. The 21-year-old put the other man in a headlock, and they both ended up on the ground.

The fight ended, and they started arguing again, Murphy said. The 21-year-old then charged at the other man while he was running away, hitting him and grabbing him. The other man fell to the ground, according to Murphy, and the 21-year-old stood over him and punched him repeatedly before stomping on his head.

The Ferndale man is being held at Whatcom County Jail on suspicion of second-degree assault. No bail amount has been set, 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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