UPDATE: Suspect in Stabbing Arrested
Through this investigation, Spokane Valley Major Crimes Detective Kirk Keyser identified the suspect as 33-year-old Joseph GB Layman and developed probable cause to obtain a felony arrest warrant charging him with Assault 1st Degree.
The investigation into this incident revealed that on March 18, 2019, Layman arrived at the victim’s apartment located on E. 3rd Ave. in Spokane Valley. The assault began during an argument over heroin, which quickly escalated when Layman produced a knife and stabbed the victim several times before he was eventually subdued.
A friend quickly transported the victim to the Spokane Valley Hospital Emergency Room for medical treatment. The victim remained in the hospital for two days due to the severity of his injuries.
Last night, with the assistance of the Spokane Police Department’s PACT Team, Layman was located, arrested, and transported to the Public Safety Building to be interviewed by Detective Keyser.
At the conclusion of the interview, Detective Keyser brought Layman to the Spokane County Jail, where he was booked on the felony Assault 1st Degree warrant. Layman is currently being held on a $250,000 bond.
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Previous Press Release from March 19, 2019:
Major Crime Detectives Investigate Stabbing
Spokane Valley Major Crimes Detectives continue to investigate a stabbing which occurred yesterday evening at an apartment located at 11009 E. 3rd Ave. in Spokane Valley. Detectives are working through conflicting information and are asking for the public’s help.
Last night, March 18, 2019, prior to 6:30 p.m., Spokane Valley Deputies responded to a report of a stabbing. The call began when Valley Hospital Security reported a male just arrived at the Emergency Room with several stab wounds.
Responding Deputies gained as much information as possible while the 39-year-old male victim was receiving medical treatment for his severe and what appeared to be potentially life-threating wounds.
Major Crimes Detectives were called to the scene to continue the investigation. Detectives believe the stabbing occurred inside an apartment in the University Apartments Complex, but they received conflicting and inconsistent information during interviews and are seeking additional witnesses who may have information.
Detectives do not believe this is a random incident and the suspect or suspects may have fled the apartment complex on foot.
The victim is expected to recover from his injuries.
If you have information regarding this investigation, witnessed/heard an altercation or suspicious activity at, or in the area of, the University Apartments on March 18, 2019, between 5:30 p.m. and 6:30 p.m., you are asked to call Major Crimes Detective Kirk Keyser at 509-477-6611, reference #10035905.