Assailant in assault on Lake Padden trail sought

BELLINGHAM, Wash. — Bellingham Police Department has issued the following statement regarding an assault that occurred Saturday, June 22nd, about 10:30am on the Padden Lake trail.

Bellingham Police are investigating an unprovoked attack on a jogger that occurred Saturday morning, June 22, at Lake Padden Park and are seeking the community’s help locating the suspect.

Police responded to the Lake Padden Park trail system following the assault report. A young woman was trail running on the Southeast side of Lake Padden, directly south of the loop trail when she came upon a man walking in the same direction she was going. When she was passing the man, without warning he knocked her to the ground and punched her multiple times in the face. Two nearby people heard the victim screaming and ran toward the commotion. The presence of the witnesses likely caused the attacker to flee. One witness rendered aid to the injured woman and escorted her to the trail entrance and the other kept eyes on the attacker. The attacker was last seen running down a hill near milepost 1 ¾ of the trail toward I-5. The woman was transported to the hospital for treatment of her injuries sustained in the unprovoked attack. While the incident occurred as the Lake Padden Triathlon was underway, the victim was not participating in the event. One of the witnesses who came to the victim’s aid participated in the triathlon.

Two BPD K9 teams were deployed in the area of the attack and where the assailant was last seen. The two teams searched the area focusing on the horse trails west of Lake Padden leading to I-5 and north to the intersection of 33rd and Broad Street. The assailant was not located. Witnesses and the victim described the attacker as an average-to-fit White male in his 30s, about 5’8” to 5’10” with a distinct receding hairline. The assailant was wearing blue jeans and possibly a gray shirt.

The victim was randomly attacked in a location that should have been safe for her to enjoy a summer day jog. When enjoying the outdoors, consider doing so with at least one other person or be in an area that is well-used by other outdoor enthusiasts. Even if people are by themselves, they are not responsible for someone else’s criminal actions. Bellingham Police would like to thank the two witnesses who heard screams and quickly made the decision to help.

Investigation into the incident is ongoing. If the suspect is identified, there is probable cause to arrest him for Assault in the second degree. Bellingham Police are actively investigating this incident. Anyone with information regarding the assault or who may have witnessed the assailant fleeing the area is encouraged to contact the Bellingham Police at 360-778-8611 or online at www.cob.org/tips reference case number 24B35293.