Suspect in assault on musician told police that band was playing song he didn’t like

Published 5:00 pm Monday, September 12, 2011

EVERETT — A man who allegedly has mental health issues was arrested for investigation of first-degree assault after reportedly attacking a guitarist on stage with a knife Friday during the Mukilteo Lighthouse Festival.

The suspect, 33, told police the band was playing a song he didn’t like.

He allegedly explained to medics that he ran down a hill through blackberry bushes and climbed over a barbed wire fence, which caused several cuts to his body. He also received a gash to his head after falling from the fence. He apparently believed the band was singing lyrics about a baby or a girl and that they shouldn’t have been, a police officer wrote in court papers.

The Mount Vernon man then allegedly jumped onto the stage with a small knife to attack a guitarist, according to court papers.

The guitarist, 32, received two minor knife marks to the left side of his neck just above the collarbone, police wrote.

The musician was able to fend off his attacker with his guitar, court papers said.

Police and private security officers were at Lighthouse Park on Front Street and arrested the man, Mukilteo police spokesman Cheol Kang said.

He allegedly told a police officer he intended to cut the performer’s throat.

An Everett District Court judge set bail at $25,000 on Monday.

Deputy prosecutor Andrew Alsdorf argued for a $50,000 bail based on the suspect’s alleged intent.

“There is a potential mental health issue going on, but the overwhelming concern is for the safety of the community,” Alsdorf said. A court-appointed defense lawyer said the man has no felony history.

Eric Stevick: 425-339-3446, stevick@heraldnet.com.