A Washington man and his dog were critically injured Sunday morning in a targeted attack at a Parkland corner store, reportedly because of the man’s Christian faith.
According to KOMO News, Eddie Nitschke called 911 at 6:24 a.m. after being approached by a man who asked about his religion.
When Nitschke identified as Christian, the assailant reportedly attacked him and his dog with multiple knives before fleeing the scene.
Deputies responding found both victim and dog in critical condition, with Nitschke sustaining multiple stab wounds, including a punctured lung. The dog was rushed to a veterinary hospital for emergency surgery.
Officers later located the suspect in a nearby residential neighborhood, armed with knives. During the confrontation, the suspect reportedly resisted arrest and advanced on deputies, prompting them to use lethal force.
The suspect was pronounced dead at a local hospital; no officers were injured.
Witnesses described the attack as sudden and unprovoked.
In an interview, Nitschke recounted that the suspect initially accused him of pursuing him, a claim he denied, before launching the assault.
During the struggle, Nitschke instructed his girlfriend to release their dog from the car. The animal intervened but was also stabbed.
The entire incident left neighbors shaken and raised questions about safety in the area.
“This neighborhood has seen a rise in violent incidents recently,” Sgt. Charles Porche of the Pierce County Force Investigation Team told KOMO News.
Residents reported feeling unsafe walking at night, particularly with children. Christopher Dotson, a local father, told reporters, “It’s better to be somewhere safe, and kids can ride scooters and play without worrying about who might get hurt.”
Nitschke’s injuries were serious, complicated by pre-existing conditions, including lung cancer, according to KING 5 Seattle.
Despite medical advice, he discharged himself to check on his dog, highlighting the personal toll of the attack.
Analysts say the Parkland stabbing comes amid persistently high levels of hostility toward Christian institutions in the United States.
A Family Research Council (FRC) report found that in 2024, there were 415 hostile acts against churches nationwide—including vandalism, arson, gun-related incidents, personal attacks and bomb threats—affecting 383 congregations across 43 states.
Since 2018, FRC has tracked 1,384 incidents of hostility against U.S. churches, underscoring ongoing safety concerns for religious communities.
The Pierce County Major Crimes Task Force continues to investigate the suspect’s identity, motive and possible connections to the neighborhood.
Authorities are asking anyone with information to come forward. Officials emphasize the need for vigilance and community cooperation as they work to prevent similar attacks.
This case underscores the broader issue of public safety for religious individuals in everyday life.
Faith-based targeting, even in routine public settings, can have devastating consequences, both physically and psychologically, for victims and their families.
As law enforcement continues its investigation, local residents and religious communities are left to grapple with the sobering reality that such violence can occur in their own neighborhoods.
WATCH:
