Boy, 16, accused of attempted murder in Bellingham

Published 1:18 pm Monday, January 13, 2014

BELLINGHAM — A 16-year-old boy accused of forcing his way into a Bellingham home and beating and choking a woman into unconsciousness told police he was high on marijuana and mushrooms at the time.

When the 44-year-old woman regained consciousness Saturday morning the attacker was gone. Police found a pair of pants in the neighborhood with the boy’s wallet inside. They went to his home and found him asleep in bed covered in blood. He said he thought he had killed the woman.

Police said the woman was treated at Saint Joseph’s Hospital. The teen was lodged in Whatcom County Juvenile Detention for investigation of attempted murder.

The woman told police she had opened her door slightly when she heard banging and yelling and the attacker pushed his way inside.