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

West Spokane stabbing suspect arrested

A man is dead after being stabbed Friday afternoon in a room at the West Wynn Motel on Sunset Boulevard.

He was taken to a hospital in critical condition and died of his wounds several hours later.

Police identified the suspect as 33-year-old Derrick G. Bonato. He was arrested Friday evening near downtown Spokane after several hours of searching.

Spokane police used dogs to search nearby High Bridge Park for Bonato immediately after the stabbing but did not locate him. Spokane police Cpl. Jordan Ferguson said investigators believe the victim and the suspect knew each other.

Police were called to the motel at 2701 W. Sunset Blvd. about 1:45 p.m. The first officers on the scene performed first aid on the victim and covered the wound with a “chest seal,” Ferguson said.

Multiple witnesses were in the room at the time of the stabbing and were being interviewed by detectives Friday afternoon.

The identity of the victim will be released by the Spokane County medical examiner after an autopsy.

Anyone with information about the incident is asked to call Crime Check at (509) 456-2233.

This story was updated to correct the suspect’s age. The Spokane Police Department originally sent out an incorrect age.