Category: Daily Caller
Knifed for ‘being a Christian’? Suspect allegedly stabs man and his dog after asking about victim’s religion
A suspect allegedly stabbed a man and his dog Sunday in Washington state after the suspect asked the victim what religion he is, the Pierce County Sheriff’s Office said.
The 54-year-old male victim called 911 reporting that an unknown male stabbed him near the S S Quickstop Grocery in Parkland just before 6:30 a.m. and that the male fled southbound on Park Avenue S., officials said. Parkland is about 45 minutes south of Seattle.
‘This would actually be a hate crime based on religion.’
When deputies arrived, the victim was in serious condition and told deputies the unknown man had come up to him and asked what religion he was, officials said.
“The victim answered the man and said something about being a Christian, and the man then attacked and stabbed the victim and his dog,” officials added.
The victim provided a description of the suspect prior to being transported to a local hospital; the victim’s dog was also in serious condition and was transported to a local animal hospital and was taken into surgery immediately, officials said.
Deputies used a K-9 to search the area for more than two hours but were unable to locate the suspect, officials said.
At 8:40 a.m. while conducting an area check, a deputy saw the suspect in the 800 block of 112th St. S, and the suspect fled behind a nearby home, officials said.
Deputies followed the suspect and reported that shots had been fired at 8:47 a.m., officials said.
KOMO-TV reported that the sheriff’s office confirmed the suspect was dead and that multiple deputies shot the suspect.
The sheriff’s office added to KOMO that the suspect was armed with multiple knives, was resisting arrest, and approached deputies before shots were fired.
Detectives do not know the suspect’s identity or his connection, if any, to the area or the house he fled behind, KOMO added.
KING-TV said the stabbing victim, Eddie Nitschke, lives in the convenience store’s parking lot in a car with his girlfriend and two dogs.
Nitschke told KING he initially responded to the suspect that he wasn’t religious, but the suspect kept pushing the issue about what religion he was, after which Nitschke told the suspect, “I guess Christian.”
The suspect then accused Nitschke of pursuing him, KING added: “He said, ‘You’ve been looking for me for some time,’ and I said, ‘I don’t even know you.'”
KING said the suspect soon struck Nitschke multiple times with two knives and punctured his lung.
During the attack, Nitschke told his girlfriend to release their dog from the car, KING reported, adding that the dog attacked the suspect and was also stabbed.
“My shirt was drenched with blood,” Nitschke recounted to KING.
More from KING:
At the hospital, Nitschke discovered the suspect was being treated in an adjacent room. While being interviewed by police, he heard commotion next door.
“And then I’m sitting there and then I hear ‘Code red, code red’ and they wheeled the guy in right beside me in the next room,” Nitschke said.
After learning the suspect had died, Nitschke said he felt conflicted.
“When I found out that he died, I thought to myself, ‘Oh, he died.’ I felt bad, but then I thought, ‘He just stabbed me,’” he said.
Nitschke discharged himself from the hospital, KING said.
“They didn’t want to let me go,” he recalled to KING. “I just don’t want to be in the hospital. I wanted to find out about my dog.” It appears from KING’s video report that the dog is OK.
More than 500 comments have appeared under the sheriff’s office Facebook post about the incident. As you might imagine, some commenters didn’t take too kindly to the suspect’s actions apparently related to the victim reportedly telling him he’s a Christian.
- “I believe this would be on major news if he, the victim, wasn’t Christian,” one commenter wrote.
- “This would actually be a hate crime based on religion,” another user said. “Will it be prosecuted that way? Doubtful due to the religion being Christianity.”
- “It’s not a hate crime if the victim is Christian,” another user said with seeming sarcasm.
- “No protests?” another commenter wondered with tongue fully in cheek.
- “Another hate crime attack that the mainstream media will ignore since facts don’t support their agenda,” another user stated. “Libs will post laughing emojis since they are mentally ill and have twisted morals.”
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‘Horrifying situation’: Some Republicans retreat following Minneapolis shooting of anti-ICE agitator
Several Republican lawmakers are sounding the alarm following another shooting in Minnesota.
Anti-ICE agitator Alex Pretti was fatally shot by a federal agent in Minneapolis on Saturday, with the Department of Homeland Security saying he “violently resisted” when agents attempted to disarm him. This is the second fatal shooting of an anti-ICE agitator in Minnesota. Renee Good was shot earlier this month after turning her car and accelerating toward an agent.
‘The killing yesterday … should raise serious questions.’
Administration officials like DHS Secretary Kristi Noem and top adviser Stephen Miller have branded Pretti a “would-be assassin” who committed acts of “domestic terrorism.”
This comes after weeks of mob violence, theft, and property destruction in response to ICE presence in Minneapolis. These often coordinated acts are indiscriminately aimed at federal agents conducting lawful operations. The protesters are also threatening journalists simply exposing their violent tactics and even intimidating local churchgoers.
While the investigation continues, some Republican senators and representatives have made an effort to distance themselves from what they called a “horrifying situation.”
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Gina Ferazzi / Los Angeles Times via Getty Images
Several senators who are known to buck the Trump administration came out with critical statements following the shooting, citing claims that conflict with DHS’ narrative.
“The tragedy and chaos the country is witnessing in Minneapolis is shocking,” Republican Sen. Lisa Murkowski of Alaska said in a post on X. “The killing yesterday of Alex Pretti, a U.S. citizen, by ICE agents should raise serious questions within the administration about the adequacy of immigration-enforcement training and the instructions officers are given on carrying out their mission.”
“Lawfully carrying a firearm does not justify federal agents killing an American — especially, as video footage appears to show, after the victim had been disarmed,” Murkowski said. “A comprehensive, independent investigation of the shooting must be conducted in order to rebuild trust and Congressional committees need to hold hearings and do their oversight work. ICE agents do not have carte blanche in carrying out their duties.”
Republican Sen. Thom Tillis of North Carolina, who is notably retiring, said officials jumping to conclusions could risk tarnishing President Donald Trump’s legacy.
“There must be a thorough and impartial investigation into yesterday’s Minneapolis shooting, which is the basic standard that law enforcement and the American people expect following any officer-involved shooting,” Tillis said in a post on X. “For this specific incident, that requires cooperation and transparency between federal, state, and local law enforcement. Any administration official who rushes to judgment and tries to shut down an investigation before it begins are doing an incredible disservice to the nation and to President Trump’s legacy.”
Bill Clark/CQ-Roll Call, Inc via Getty Images
Other senators who have otherwise supported the administration also expressed skepticism after the shooting, calling for a thorough investigation.
“The nation witnessed a horrifying situation this weekend,” Republican Sen. Pete Ricketts of Nebraska said in a post on X. “My prayers are with the family of Alex Pretti.”
“My support for funding ICE remains the same. Enforcing our immigration laws makes our streets safer,” Ricketts clarified ahead of a major Senate vote on DHS funding. “It also protects our national security. But we must also maintain our core values as a nation, including the right to protest and assemble. I expect a prioritized, transparent investigation into this incident.”
Ricketts’ Republican colleague Sen. Dave McCormick of Pennsylvania echoed a criticism put forth by the National Rifle Association, saying Pretti was lawfully exercising his right to carry a firearm.
“As I have often said, I support the Border Patrol, ICE, and the critical work they do to enforce our laws,” McCormick said in a post on X. “Irresponsible rhetoric and a lack of cooperation from Minnesota’s politicians are fueling a dangerous situation. I also agree with the NRA and others — we need a full investigation into the tragedy in Minneapolis. We need all the facts. We must enforce our laws in a way that protects the public while maintaining its trust. This gives our law enforcement officers the best chance to succeed in their difficult mission.”
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Photo by Nathan Posner/Anadolu via Getty Images
While several Republicans remained critical, others like Sen. Markwayne Mullin of Oklahoma came in defense of the Trump administration, suggesting protesters had crossed the line into obstructing law enforcement.
“Law-abiding citizens have every right to carry a firearm,” Mullin said in a post on X. “You DO NOT have a right to obstruct law enforcement activity, or commit another felony with one. This is not difficult.”
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