Felon released from jail two weeks ago suspected in stabbing

A convicted felon released from jail two weeks ago is suspected of stabbing a man in Spokane’s West Central neighborhood.

Police arrested Jonathan D. Lewis, 28, the night of April 8 after he allegedly approached a homeowner in a “confrontational manner” and stabbed him, court documents say. Officer Teresa Fuller said the suspect entered the victim’s yard on West Augusta Avenue after the victim’s dog started barking at him. He then began swearing at the victim and his son.

Several neighbors said they saw a man stab the victim after the victim turned his back to enter his backyard, court documents say. The victim told police he didn’t realize he’d been stabbed until his wife started yelling about blood. He was stabbed three times and had non-life threatening injuries, Fuller said.

Police found Lewis walking in nearby A.M. Cannon Park shirtless shortly after the stabbing, court documents say. He was arrested and faces a first-degree assault charge. The victim’s wife identified Lewis as the suspect in a lineup, court documents say.

A police dog found the knife in a nearby trash can.

Lewis pleaded guilty in mid-March to taking a motor vehicle without permission and was sentenced to serve two months in jail, with credit for 24 days, newspaper records show. He was released from jail on March 26, two weeks before the stabbing.

Lewis also has prior felony convictions for theft and drug possession.