Man sentenced for stabbing at Dollar Tree in Mill Creek

MILL CREEK — An Everett man who stabbed a boy at a Dollar Tree because the child insulted him with video game lingo has been sentenced to nearly 12 years in prison.

On the afternoon of March 22, 2023, two boys, aged 11 and 13, were standing outside the Dollar Tree, 3414 132nd St. NE in Mill Creek, according to charging papers. They saw Joshua Pence, across the street.

The 13-year-old boy yelled at Pence, reportedly calling him an “NPC,” a video game term that stands for “non-playable character.” Internet memes uses the term as an insult, representing someone who does not think for themselves and has no inner monologue or personality.

Pence, now 30, ran across the street, chasing the boys into the Dollar Tree, the charges say.

“It’s not that serious,” one of them yelled at Pence, according to court papers.

Pence stabbed the 11-year-old boy in the side with a 5-inch blade, according to the charges.

“I’ve been stabbed,” the boy reportedly yelled. “Someone help.”

Pence swung at the other boy, who was able to move out of the way, according to court documents. He dropped the knife and walked out of the store.

The 11-year-old boy was reportedly taken to Harborview Medical Center in Seattle for treatment on a partially collapsed lung. In the hospital, he told investigators he’d seen Pence before and had called him an NPC in the past.

A few weeks after the stabbing, prosecutors charged Pence with both first-degree assault of a child and attempted first-degree assault.

In late July of this year, the defendant pleaded guilty to first-degree assault of a child and third-degree assault.

In letters to Snohomish County Superior Court Judge Whitney Rivera prior to sentencing, Pence’s parents described their son as someone who had never been violent but whose mental health had been declining.

“We were limited in what we could do as he was an adult living on his own and was not totally transparent with us regarding his mental health struggles,” his father wrote. “Even during this time, he gave no indication of having any violent tendencies.”

In an interview in jail with a psychologist, Pence said kids had been taunting him in his neighborhood. He wanted to confront them, and tell them, “I’m going through a lot. Just stop.” Eventually, he got a knife to “make sure the message was sent.”

He called his actions “reckless,” according to court papers.

Under state sentencing guidelines, Pence faced 10½ years to 13⅓ years in prison. The prosecution and defense agreed to recommend a sentence in the middle of that range. In a hearing last month, Rivera followed that recommendation.

Pence’s parents hope he can get mental health help in prison.

Jake Goldstein-Street: 425-339-3439; jake.goldstein-street@heraldnet.com; X: @GoldsteinStreet.