Two airlifted after stabbing near Port Townsend highway

Law enforcement uses stun guns to stop man from harming himself

PORT TOWNSEND — Two people were separately airlifted to Harborview Medical Center in Seattle following a stabbing late Sunday night and an ensuing manhunt that ended Monday morning, according to a news release from the Jefferson County Sheriff’s Office.

Ryan N. Rodrigues, 42, of Port Hadlock was arrested in the 8600 block of state Highway 20 late Monday morning after he was told to drop his knife and began stabbing himself.

Deputies used stun guns to stop the man from inflicting further harm on himself before he was airlifted to Harborview on Monday, the release stated.

A 42-year-old Port Hadlock woman who was reportedly stabbed was said to be conscious when she was airlifted Sunday night.

The incident began Sunday when law enforcement responded to a report of a woman who had been stabbed several times in the neck by a man at Jacob Miller Road and state Highway 20 in Port Townsend, according to the release.

A K-9 unit was called in to track Rodrigues, who was reported to be Latino, 5 feet, 8 inches tall, weighing 200 pounds and wearing a white T-shirt and cargo pants.

On Monday morning, Jefferson County Sheriff’s deputies and Port Townsend police officers responded to a possible sighting in the 8600 block of state Highway 20 near Seton Road, the release stated.

They arrived and saw Rodrigues flee into thick brush along the highway but were unable to talk him into coming out. However, once he emerged, Rodrigues refused to comply with deputies’ commands to drop his knife.

Since Rodrigues was wanted on probable cause for first-degree assault and he was armed with a knife, deputies deployed “less than lethal” 40mm foam rounds, attempting to get him to drop the knife, according to the release.

Those attempts were unsuccessful and Rodrigues began stabbing himself in the neck and throat in an apparent suicide attempt, the release stated.

Stun guns were deployed and Rodrigues stopped harming himself.

Law enforcement officers then approached Rodrigues, took away the knife and began providing medical attention until East Jefferson Fire and Rescue personnel arrived. He was then airlifted to Harborview.

The conditions of Rodrigues and the woman were unknown Monday.

The case was turned over to the Washington State Patrol for further investigation.

________

Reporter Brian Gawley can be reached at 360-452-2345, ext. 55650, or at brian.gawley@soundpublishing.com.

More in Crime

Arrest in suspected theft leads to drug, firearm discoveries

A man suspected in a theft from Hartnagel Building… Continue reading

Brinnon man to serve more than four years in prison

Coccia pleads guilty to multiple counts of theft, burglary

Forks man convicted of second-degree domestic violence assault

A Forks man pleaded guilty to second-degree domestic violence… Continue reading

Standoff subject to undergo treatment

Judge signs order to restore competency

Man sentenced to 10 years on firearms charges

A 44-year-old man has been sentenced after pleading guilty… Continue reading

Sheriff’s office says suspect a repeat offender

A repeat offender was arrested this week for burglary, theft… Continue reading

August trial set for robbery suspect

Not guilty plea entered for felony charges from Frugal’s incident

Cox undergoing competency evaluation

Standoff suspect due in court Monday

Sequim police plan to forward charges in school vandalism case

Charges to be determined by prosecuting attorney’s office, detective says

Arraignment for man charged with Frugals robbery moved to July 3

The arraignment of a man who faces criminal charges… Continue reading

Man faces multiple charges after robbery investigation

Port Angeles police still searching for second suspect in December incident