Prosecutors charge Ferndale man involved in fight that sent other man to hospital
A Ferndale man has been charged with second-degree assault after allegedly punching and stomping on a man’s head in Bellingham on Saturday.
Court records obtained by The Bellingham Herald show that Chief Harold Saluskin Pitt, 21, was arguing with another man on the 1300 block of Railroad Ave. Traffic cameras showed the two men pushing each other several times before Saluskin Pitt put the other man in a headlock.
The two of them fell to the ground and continued to fight before eventually stopping. They began to argue again, and Saluskin Pitt then charged at the other man, striking him and grabbing hold of him as he tried to run away.
The other man fell to the ground, according to court documents, and Saluskin Pitt stood over him. He punched the other man about 20 times and then stomped on his head. Bellingham Police Department officers arrived at the scene at 12:17 a.m. as this was happening and detained Saluskin Pitt.
The other man was found unconscious and taken to St. Joseph Medical Center in Bellingham for treatment for a possible brain bleed. When he woke up, he said he didn’t recall anything about the incident other than arguing with Saluskin Pitt.
Saluskin Pitt did not answer police questions, but said he was defending himself. He was charged with second-degree assault and pleaded not guilty. He remains in custody at the Whatcom County Jail in lieu of a $50,000 bond.
Saluskin Pitt’s trial is scheduled for June 8.