UPDATE: Major Crimes Detectives Arrest Suspect in Random Stabbing
Spokane County Sheriff’s Office Major Crimes Detective Marc Melville identified and arrested the suspect who stabbed a teen during the late overnight hours in the parking lot of Mountain Side Middle School in May of this year.
Back in early June, Spokane County Major Crimes Detectives released surveillance video and requested the public’s help as they worked to identify a suspect in this stabbing. The victim and witnesses of the attack were unable to provide specific information leaving Investigators with little to go on.
In mid-September, with tips and information provided by the public and Sheriff’s Deputies, Detective Melville identified a possible suspect, 22-year-old Daniil V. Bezzubenkov, and learned he lived in the area.
On October 3, 2018, Detective Melville contacted Bezzubenkov at his residence and conducted an interview where Bezzubenkov admitted to committing the assault while holding a “piece of metal” in his hand. Bezzubenkov stated he was walking through the school property when he noticed the teens and did not know the victim he assaulted. The reason he decided to violently assault the victim is unknown.
Bezzubenkov was transported and booked into the Spokane County Jail for Assault 2nd Degree, a felony.
We would like to thank everyone who provided information and tips during this investigation. With very little information at the beginning of this case, it is these tips and information that enabled Detective Melville to identify a potential suspect and develop the probable cause needed to charge him for this violent and random assault.
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Original Release from June 7, 2018:
Major Crimes Detectives Search for Stabbing Suspect Information
Spokane County Sheriff’s Office Major Crimes Detectives are asking for the public’s help as they search for information regarding a stabbing which occurred on May 23, 2018. Fortunately, the victim only received non-life-threatening injuries. The reporting of the incident to law enforcement was delayed and Detectives have minimal information regarding the suspects.
On May 23, 2018, between the hours of 1:00 and 1:30 a.m., three juveniles were bored and decided to go to Mountain Side Middle School and sit on the benches near the field.
Once in the northeast portion of the parking lot, the juvenile victim realized he forgot his cell phone in the vehicle and ran back to retrieve it. As he opened the car door, an unknown suspect approached, pushed him into the driver’s seat and began hitting/stabbing the victim before running away into the woods.
The victim was stabbed three times during the assault, once in the arm and twice in the abdomen. The victim did not receive treatment for the non-life-threatening wounds until later in the evening after reporting the incident.
The suspect was described as older, possibly an adult male with facial hair, wearing khaki pants and a gray hoodie. Detectives believe the suspect was walking east on E. Day Mt. Spokane Rd. and fled to the west of the school into a wooded area.
The involved juveniles were unable to provide any additional information regarding the suspect or why he assaulted the victim.
Major Crimes Detectives are hoping someone in our community can provide information regarding a possible motive or can help identify the suspect. Investigators also ask residents/businesses in the area (specifically Day Mt. Spokane Rd. between Hwy. 2/Fairview, Yale Rd. to the north, and the Brighton Place neighborhood) with security systems to review their video footage of May 23, 2018, between the hours of 12:30 a.m. and 2:00 a.m., for any potential video of the suspect or suspicious activity.
Anyone with information regarding this assault, or can provide any tips which could help investigators, is urged to call Detective Marc Melville at 509-477-3325, reference #10068769.