Man who threatened 3 at Everett Gospel Mission to be evaluated

EVERETT — An Everett man who attacked three people near the Everett Gospel Mission was ordered to undergo mental health and substance abuse evaluations once he’s released from prison.

Snohomish County Superior Court Judge Janice Ellis recently sentenced the man to four years behind bars for the Dec. 10 violence.

Thomas Wenger, 46, pleaded guilty last month to second-degree assault. It is his eighth felony conviction.

Wenger’s criminal history dates back to the late 1980s and mainly consists of drug and property crimes.

Prosecutors alleged that Wenger’s behavior escalated late last year when he confronted people with a large knife, including two men from a church group who were handing out food to the homeless near the men’s shelter.

The attacks were unprovoked.

One victim reported that he was walking in the 3600 block of Smith Avenue when Wenger ambushed him and shoved him to the ground. Wenger swung a knife at the man’s face several times.

The victim was able to escape without being seriously hurt.

Another man reported that he and his church group were providing food to transients when he was attacked. He first saw Wenger punch his friend in the face after the man offered the suspect some food.

That man declined to provide police with a statement.

The other man reported that Wenger swung a knife at him when he attempted to help his friend up.

He “thought he might be killed by the defendant’s actions,” Snohomish County deputy prosecutor Toni Montgomery wrote in court papers.

Everett police officers stepped up patrols in the area months ago when business owners and neighbors complained about a spike in assaults, drug deals and trespassing in the area.

Officers also teamed up with a county social worker to offer services to those in need.

Additional efforts are being made to find housing for some of the city’s most frequent users of emergency services.

Diana Hefley: 425-339-3463; hefley@heraldnet.com. Twitter: @dianahefley.