Man accused of hopping fence and stabbing Bellingham neighbor in head during argument

Police say a man is suspected of hopping a fence to stab a Bellingham neighbor in the head during an argument.

Brian Matthew Burton, 51, was in an argument with his neighbor July 17 in the 1800 block of Texas Street, according to Megan Peters with the Bellingham Police Department. The area is just north of Roosevelt Park.

The argument turned physical when Burton jumped the fence into his neighbor’s yard and fought with the male neighbor. When a female neighbor attempted to break up the fight, Burton reportedly punched her. During the fight, he stabbed the man in the top of the head with a knife, Peters said.

Burton then made comments about getting a gun and jumped back over the fence into the apartment he was staying in, Peters said.

Officers responded to the scene around 10:50 p.m. to find the parties involved to be separated. Police contained the area and spoke to those involved and witnesses. Burton came out of his apartment and was taken into custody without incident.

The male neighbor was taken to the hospital in a personal vehicle after speaking to police. Information regarding his condition was not available.

Burton was booked into Whatcom County Jail for suspicion of first- and second-degree assault, burglary and harassment.