Man accused of kidnapping, stabbing woman in view of witnesses near Pullman

A 35-year-old man allegedly abducted an estranged partner and stabbed her numerous times after she escaped into a bystander’s vehicle early Saturday near Pullman, according to the Whitman County Sheriff’s Office.

In a news release, the sheriff’s office said deputies and police officers responded at about 2:20 a.m. to the area near Whelan and Kitzmiller roads, just north of the city. They found a woman with numerous stab wounds and quickly arrested the suspect, Jose Chagollan Flores.

Witnesses told authorities they called 911 after the victim climbed into the back of their vehicle, pleading for help. That’s when Chagollan Flores rammed his Lincoln Navigator SUV into the back of their vehicle, pulled out the victim, threw her to the ground and began stabbing her with a knife, according to the sheriff’s office.

She was taken to Pullman Regional Hospital with injuries that did not appear life-threatening, the sheriff’s office said.

Investigators remained at the scene for hours Saturday morning. Chagollan Flores remained in the Whitman County Jail on Monday evening with bond set at $1.5 million. He faces charges of second-degree assault and first-degree kidnapping.