SEQUIM — A man died after he was allegedly assaulted in the 500 block of West Washington Street in Sequim.
Sequim police arrested Aaron C. Fisher, 36, of Port Townsend at the scene on May 6 on investigation of second-degree assault, according to Clallam County Superior Court documents.
Fisher was exonerated and released on Friday as the investigation continues, court documents stated.
The victim, identified in court records as Richard G. Madeo, 70, was airlifted to Harborview Medical Center in Seattle and reportedly died on Thursday, Sequim police said.
Sequim police and Clallam County Fire District 3 responded about 12:25 p.m. on May 6 to the reported assault near Westside Pizza, where Madeo was on the ground after an alleged fight in the parking lot, according to Sequim police and court documents.
Madeo was bleeding from the mouth, breathing while unconscious and had a fresh laceration to the back of his head, the probable cause statement said.
Fisher told Sequim Police Officer Stephanie Benes that he was walking across the driveway into the shopping plaza when Madeo drove up quickly and stopped about 1 to 2 feet away, and they exchanged hand gestures and shouting, according to court documents.
Madeo allegedly stopped the truck again, got out to confront Fisher, and Fisher punched him in the face.
“Where did you hit him?” Benes asked Fisher.
“Square in the chin,” Fisher responded, according to court documents. “I mean, I’ve been in a hundred fights. I know where, I mean. It was self-defense.”
When medics arrived, they transported Madeo for Life Flight, according to court documents. Later that evening, Harborview Medical Center advised that Madeo was on life support with a breathing machine and showed minimal brain activity, according to court documents.
The punch was not clear from surveillance footage, court documents stated, but “Fisher’s statements on scene clearly admit that he struck Madeo in the face hard enough to knock him to the ground, where Madeo then sustained a brain injury.”
“Our heartfelt condolences go out to the victim’s family and loved ones during this difficult time,” Sequim police stated in the press release issued Tuesday. “Based on the updated information, the investigation remains active and ongoing as Sequim detectives work with the King County Medical Examiner’s Office. We are currently identifying and interviewing additional witnesses and continue to collect and process all available video evidence related to the incident.
“Our department is committed to ensuring the safety and well-being of all members of our community,” Sequim police said. “We deeply appreciate the community’s patience and cooperation as we investigate this tragic matter thoroughly.”
If anyone has any information that could help the investigation, they are asked to call 360-683-7227 or email ContactSPD@sequimwa.gov.
