Man Arrested After Chain Assault in Bellingham

Original BPD PhotoPhoto byBellingham Police Department

BELLINGHAM, WASHINGTON – Early on the morning of August 9, 2024, Bellingham Police Department responded to a report of an assault on E. Magnolia Street. At approximately 2:04 a.m., officers arrived on the scene and found an adult male suffering from a bloody head wound. The victim informed the police that a verbal exchange with an unknown man escalated into a physical altercation, during which the unknown man allegedly struck him in the head with a chain. A witness who was with the victim managed to capture a photo of the suspect before he fled the area.

The following day, on August 10, 2024, Bellingham Police responded to a call at a Fred Meyer store on Lakeway Drive regarding a man with a possible warrant. Officers approached a vehicle at the location and made contact with the individual inside. The man was identified as a 37-year-old local resident Jacob Sparks, who was confirmed to have an active warrant from the Whatcom County Sheriff’s Office for alleged Assault in the Fourth Degree. He was taken into custody without incident.

Upon further investigation, the man was found to match the description and photograph of the suspect involved in the August 9th assault on E. Magnolia Street. During police interviews, the suspect admitted to recognizing his own image from a post on the Bellingham Police Department’s Facebook page. He allegedly confessed to engaging in an altercation with the victim and acknowledged striking him with a chain, resulting in significant injury.

At approximately 10:00 p.m. on August 10, 2024, based on the evidence and the suspect's apparent admission, probable cause was established to charge him with Assault in the Second Degree. The suspect was subsequently booked into Whatcom County Jail, where he remains in custody.

The Bellingham Police Department continues to investigate the incident and urges anyone with additional information to come forward.

Note: All Suspects are presumed innocent until proven Guilty in a Court of Law. - This Information was obtained via Information Request from BPD.