Suspect remains at large after fatal stabbing

Witnesses to a fatal stabbing on Tuesday told police the assailant was angry at the victim for waking up his child.

Benjamin H. Howard, 22, was still at large as of Thursday night. He faces a first-degree murder charge for the early morning stabbing death of Kenneth P. Jordan, 28, police said.

The altercation began when Howard, Jordan and three of their housemates returned to 3803 E. Frederick Ave. early Tuesday after drinking for several hours at a bar, according to a search warrant filed Wednesday in Spokane County District Court.

Jordan and his girlfriend, Marjorie Brown, began arguing loudly and Howard ordered them out of the house, saying “you’re out of here because you woke my kid up,” housemate Kathleen Turner told police, according to the warrant.

Howard and Jordan began fighting, and Howard’s girlfriend, Tanya Roybal, found them on the front porch covered in blood, each clutching a large rock, according to the search warrant.

Jordan fell to the ground and was pronounced dead at a hospital, while Howard fled southbound on Rebecca Street, according to witnesses.

In the warrant, police did not indicate that a knife had been recovered from the scene.

Five young children were home at the time of the stabbing, according to police.