Blaine man arrested on attempted-murder charge after driving apparent victim to hospital

A Blaine man was being held without bail on suspicion of attempted murder and other charges after he drove his critically injured victim to a Bellingham hospital because he had “a change of heart” after an attack early Tuesday.

Bellingham Police arrested Clayton E. DuBois, 43, about 3:40 a.m. Tuesday at St. Joseph Medical Center, where he was detained by hospital security personnel after DuBois dropped off an assault victim. Police said that DuBois admitted to using drugs and alcohol, and he was arrested on suspicion of driving under the influence.

His victim, who was not identified, was critically injured and flown by helicopter to Harborview Medical Center in Seattle, Whatcom County Sheriff’s Office spokeswoman Deb Slater said in a statement describing the incident.

The victim’s condition wasn’t released.

“DuBois told Bellingham police he had assaulted the victim in an attempt to kill them at a Blaine residence. At some point, he said he ‘had a change of heart’ and drove the victim to the hospital Emergency Department,” Slater said.

Slater said that Whatcom County Sheriff’s Office deputies took over the investigation.

“Whatcom County sheriff’s deputies went to the Blaine address and found evidence of a serious assault. After obtaining search warrants, deputies located a gun safe with two firearms. Deputies learned DuBois was a previously convicted felon, not allowed to have firearms,” Slater said in the statement.

DuBois is scheduled for a court hearing Thursday, according to online records. In addition to the attempted murder and DUI charges, he is suspected of two counts of second-degree unlawful possession of a firearm.

Anyone who is a victim of domestic violence , or knows someone who is, can get help from the Whatcom County Commission on Domestic Violence .