MALOTT, Wash. — The Okanogan County Sheriff’s Office says a 34-year-old man accused of stabbing his mother to death was taken into custody and booked into jail on Monday.
On Monday afternoon, Okanogan County deputies and medical personnel responded to Old Highway 97 and Central Street in Malott, Washington, on Monday afternoon for a report of a woman being stabbed by a man, according to Okanogan County Sheriff Tony Hawley.
Deputies arrived at the scene within seven minutes and began searching for the suspect, identified as 34-year-old Jose Meija, who fled on foot, Hawley said.
With help from bystanders, deputies found the area where the suspect fled, Haley said. Deputies found the suspect in a river, where he resisted arrest and tried to disarm one of them.
Hawley said Meija was in custody about 20 minutes after the initial report.
Meija’s 64-year-old mother Juana Ferreria Demejia died at the scene, Hawley said.
Hawley said Meija was taken to Mid Valley Hospital to receive treatment for a hand injury and was later booked into the Okanogan County Jail.
Meija is facing charges of second degree murder, third degree assault, resisting arrest and possession of a dangerous weapon.
The Washington State Crime Lab responded to the scene to help detectives gather evidence, Hawley said.