Two Stabbed In Pair Of Fights Over Debt

Two fights in a northeast Spokane neighborhood on Saturday sent two people to the hospital with stab wounds.

A man told police he was riding his bicycle and was invited to a party in an apartment building at the corner of Astor and Carlisle about 2 a.m.

The man told police that when he entered a corner apartment, Martin Jones pushed and punched him and demanded money, police spokesman Dick Cottam said.

Witnesses said Jones was trying to collect a $40 debt.

The man led Jones and a group of men back to his house nearby to retrieve the money. The fight continued there and Jones was stabbed.

Jones suffered stab wounds to his arm, hand and side and was taken to a hospital. He was treated, released and taken into police custody.

Police booked Jones, who gave his address as 415 E. 10th, into the Spokane County Jail on suspicion of first-degree burglary with assault.

In a second fight Saturday afternoon - believed to be an act of retaliation for the first fight - a man known as “Gizmo” stabbed a man in the stomach outside the house at 418 E. Carlisle after he was punched, police said. He then ran to an apartment at 2228 N. Astor about 2:30 p.m. and called police, according to witnesses.

The man who was stabbed was taken to a hospital where he underwent surgery and was listed in satisfactory condition.

, DataTimes