A Blaine area man was arrested for an attempted murder in the morning of August 20 after dropping off a female with extensive injuries to PeaceHealth St. Joseph Medical Center and suggesting to officers that he, “intentionally attempted to kill the female earlier that morning,” at his home in Birch Bay according to the Whatcom County Sheriff’s Office (WCSO). The woman was later transported to Harborview Medical Center in Seattle for treatment.
Clayton Edward Dubois, 43, was arrested at the hospital by Bellingham police and booked into Whatcom County Jail on one count of attempted murder in the second degree and one count of DUI. Bail has not yet been set for the second degree murder charge.
Dubois told Bellingham police he had assaulted the victim in an attempt to kill them at the Birch Bay residence, but said he "had a change of heart" before driving the victim to the emergency room, according to a WCSO press release.
According to the release, Dubois attempted to leave the emergency room after dropping the victim off before he was detained by hospital security. Dubois told Bellingham police he had consumed drugs and alcohol before driving the victim to the hospital.
After the arrest, WCSO deputies went to Dubois’ home on Lincoln Road in Birch Bay, “in an attempt to contact any person still inside the residence,” WCSO public information officer Deb Slater wrote in the press release. Deputies discovered what appeared to be blood and other evidence of the attempted murder in an open, detached garage on the property.
Deputies were granted a warrant to search the home and found additional evidence, including firearms, Slater wrote. As a previously convicted felon, Dubois was not allowed to own firearms, WCSO said. According to court records, Dubois has been the respondent of several filings for domestic violence protection orders dating back to 2006.
Dubois has a preliminary hearing in Whatcom County Superior Court set for 3 p.m. on August 21, where bail will be set for the second degree attempted murder charge.
The woman’s condition was unknown by press time.
If you or someone you know is affected by domestic or sexual violence, the Domestic Violence and Sexual Assault Services (DVSAS) 24-hour hotline is available at 360/715-1563 or 877/715-1563.
Brigid Collins Family Support Center, a Bellingham-based nonprofit working to end child abuse, can be reached at 360/734-4616 and brigidcollins.org.
Lummi Victims of Crime has a 24-hour helpline at 360/312-2015.
The National Domestic Violence Helpline operates a chat line at thehotline.org/help.
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