BELLEVUE, Wash. — A domestic disturbance between a 22-year-old resident of the Elements Apartments and a 41-year-old relative is what may have led up to a deadly altercation that left two people dead and two others injured Saturday evening in Bellevue.
“It was a housewarming party and it just went sideways,” said a witness who asked not to be identified. “It was never supposed to go that way.”
According to police, the 41-year-old male stabbed three people after a domestic disturbance erupted between 7-7:30 p.m.
The witness said a male relative of the host pulled a knife, and things just got worse.
“He ended up stabbing my friend and another friend who had a license carry a gun,” the witness said. “And we ended up giving warnings to drop the knife and tried to get the knife out of his hands. And from there it was too violent.”
One of victims, a 24-year-old Bend, Ore. resident, who was stabbed "multiple times" shot and killed the 41-year-old, according to police. He underwent surgery for stab wounds to the neck and, as of around noon on Sunday, was in stable condition.
A 21-year-old Renton resident who was attending the party died from multiple stab wounds, according to police.
The 22-year-old who was hosting the party was stabbed, treated at the hospital, and released.
There is no ongoing threat to the public, according to police. Officers remained on the scene Sunday.
Bellevue Police Chief Steve Mylett said a 9mm Ruger was found at the scene. Police have also recovered video evidence that captures part of the incident and identified a number of witnesses who are being interviewed.
The violence had neighbors feeling nervous. They said it's not the first incident around the apartment complex, and there was little communication from apartment managers.
“I'm concerned most of all about the lack of communication to the residents. How can we help, what can we do to stay safe?" Jim Ziegler said.
Neighbors wondered if managers knew about the party that was occurring in a common area on the third floor and if they did anything to stop it.
“Is this something you have liability for? How did you protect the residents, and why are you hosting something that may violate Governor (Jay) Inslee's Phase 2 order?" Ziegler said.