Published October 2 2014
On Wednesday, October 2, at 10:25 p.m., Bellevue Police responded to a reported stabbing near the intersection of Northeast Fourth Street and 106th Avenue Northeast. At the same time, police received a second 911 call from the Safeway store located in the 300 block of Bellevue Way Northeast, reporting an employee covered in blood at that location.
Police arrived and began an investigation. At this time, it is believed that the subject that was stabbed, a 37 year old male, was attempting to shoplift items from the Safeway store. The alleged shoplifter was confronted inside the store by an employee. An altercation occurred inside the store, and the alleged shoplifter was chased by the employee from the Safeway store to the parking lot of the Bank of America at the corner of Northeast Fourth Street and 106th Avenue.
When both involved individuals reached the bank parking lot, a second altercation ensued, and the Safeway employee stabbed the alleged shoplifter multiple times. The alleged shoplifter then staggered into Northeast Fourth Street, where he collapsed. The employee ran back to the Safeway store.
The alleged shoplifter was transported to Harborview hospital with life-threatening injuries. At this time, Bellevue Police continue to investigate this complex incident, including interviewing several witnesses, as well as the involved Safeway employee. There were initial reports that the alleged shoplifter had also been struck by a vehicle, however that information was determined to be false.