Police in La Center, Wash., have arrested a 41-year-old Vancouver, Wash., man on suspicion of carrying out a “random, unprovoked” knife attack that injured four. The attack occurred Monday night during a poker game at the Last Frontier Casino, the Clark County Sheriff’s Office said.
The suspect, Scott R. Harmier, was arrested following a high-speed police chase after he fled the casino. He has been charged with four counts of first-degree assault.
Three of the victims were released from the hospital Tuesday, while one remains under observation. All are expected to survive.
Poker Table Stabbings
Casino security footage viewed by investigators showed the suspect shortly before midnight “sitting at a poker table, when he reached down with his right hand and grabbed something,” the Sheriff’s Office said.
“Without provocation or warning, the suspect then appeared to stand and began to stab the male sitting to his left approximately five times in the head and chest area.”
When other casino patrons tried to tackle the knifeman, he swung the weapon at them, which the Sheriff’s Office described as a hunting knife.
The suspect then approached a woman who had been sitting at the same poker table and “appeared to try to stab her three times.” Then he chased a male out into the parking lot while swinging at him with the knife.
The victim fell to the ground and appeared to be stabbed twice by the suspect. Detectives said they found a large amount of blood on the floor of the parking lot.
Suspect Flees
Witnesses said the suspect then fled the casino in a white Nissan sedan and drove toward Interstate 5. Deputies spotted the Nissan traveling south on Interstate 205 towards the Oregon state line shortly after midnight and engaged in pursuit.
The vehicle was driving at speeds between 90 and 110 mph, before it was stopped by police using a “pursuit immobilization technique.”
Harmier was taken into custody without further incident.
The Last Frontier said in a statement on its Facebook page its human resources department was researching counseling options for staff and guests.
“Our thoughts and prayers are extended for all affected,” it said.
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