Downtown stabbing suspect claims self-defense

The man who allegedly stabbed another man several times in the back in a downtown Spokane apartment building on Wednesday told police that he did it in self-defense, court documents show.

Witnesses said that Paul J. Sicurello, 47, was arguing with the victim, Zachary Williams, about whether Williams lived at the apartment building at 204 S. Wall St. Sicurello told police that Williams followed someone inside the secured building and didn’t use a key, according to court documents.

Sicurello told police that Williams showed him an apartment key, but he stabbed him because he was afraid that the man was going to fight him or harm his wife, who was standing nearby.

Witnesses told police that Williams, who is a resident of the building, was walking past Sicurello when he was stabbed several times in the back, according to court documents.

Several nursing students assisted the victim until medics arrived.

One witness followed Sicurello when he left the apartment building. She saw him dump his knife in a cigarette receptacle and then saw a second man take the knife. Police recovered the knife from the man who picked it up.

The stabbing was captured on video surveillance. The video reportedly shows Sicurello grabbing the victim and pulling him close before repeatedly stabbing him. He then wiped the blade on his clothing and put the knife away before walking off, according to court documents.

Spokane police spokeswoman Monique Cotton said Williams is expected to survive.