Man attacked at Lakewood senior living home dies

Pierce County prosecutors are considering updating the assault charge.

  • By Wire Service
  • Thursday, November 1, 2018 1:58pm
  • Northwest

Associated Press

TACOMA — A man who was attacked with a coffee mug at a Lakewood senior living facility has died.

Investigators say John Douglas Quitorio, 54, struck Timothy Alan Nitschke, 57, with the coffee mug Saturday night after they argued about a beverage. Nitschke had a pre-existing brain condition, was knocked unconscious and died Wednesday after undergoing surgery for bleeding in his brain.

Pierce County prosecutors are considering updating the assault charge they previously filed against Quitorio.

Both men lived at the facility.

The News Tribune reported that Quitorio has been committed to Western State Hospital three times between 2005 and 2016. The attack Saturday reignited criticism from local leaders who contend that the state Department of Social and Health Services has been funneling Western State Hospital patients with violent histories into adult family homes that lack sufficient safeguards.

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