Two dead in stabbing, shooting at Bellevue apartment tower

The incident escalated from a dispute between relative and host of party, police say

A party turned deadly, Saturday, July 11 at the Elements Too Apartment building, a high-rise tower in downtown Bellevue.

Bellevue Police Chief Steve Mylett spoke to press Sunday with an update on the double-homicide. Police state they haven’t yet determined a motive, and there’s no ongoing threat to the public.

In attendance of the 22-year-old Bellevue woman’s gathering was a 41-year-old relative from Burien, a 21-year-old from Renton and a 24-year-old from Bend, Oregon. At some point, Mylett said, a domestic disturbance broke out between the Burien relative and the Bellevue woman.

Police say evidence and interviews indicate the 41-year-old man then stabbed the three others. The 21-year-old from Renton died at the scene from multiple stab wounds.

The Oregon resident, who was stabbed multiple times in the neck, then reached for his firearm and shot the 41-year-old, killing him. He was reported Sunday to be in good condition after undergoing surgery at Harborview Medical Center. The Bellevue woman was treated for her stab wounds and released from Overlake Medical Center.

Although the crime scene originally blocked off the third to first floors of the apartment, including the lobby, Mylett said they believe the attack was contained to the party on the third floor, and only attendees of the event were there.

At the press conference, a longtime resident of the apartment building referenced a previous shooting in the building and said he wanted more communication on crimes in the apartment complex from management.

Police Chief Mylett said he would be looking at if the party violated the Governor’s reopening orders of Phase Two, after asked by a reporter at the scene.