Arrow-right Camera
The Spokesman-Review Newspaper
Spokane, Washington  Est. May 19, 1883

Stabbing suspect wanted to be serial killer, prosecutor says

Daniel G. Spain’s mother told police that her 25-year-old son’s goal is to become a serial killer, prosecuting attorney Kyle Treece said in court Friday, as Spain was charged with first-degree assault in connection with a random stabbing downtown.

Spain admitted following the woman for several blocks before attacking her in an act that was to be the first step toward that goal, Treece said.

Spain was ordered held on $100,000 bond in the Spokane County Jail. Spain’s mother turned him in Thursday after seeing a surveillance photo of her son on the news, according to court documents. He was booked late Thursday.

The victim told police she believed she was stabbed while walking on Second Avenue between South Post Street and South Wall Street on Jan. 25. She said she didn’t realize she had been stabbed but heard a popping noise that police believe was the knife blade breaking off the handle.

A 5-inch blade was removed from the lower left side of the woman’s back. The wound was life-threatening, according to court documents.

Police found clothing in Spain’s apartment that matched the clothing worn by the suspect and found kitchen knives similar to the one used in the attack, according to court documents.

Spain’s only prior criminal history was a 2008 charge for malicious mischief that was dismissed in 2010 after he successfully completed a diversion program.