Roadside argument leads to deadly stabbing

Summary

A Skagit County man was stabbed to death during a roadside argument in Bellingham Sunday afternoon, and police are looking for the killer, who fled the scene. The victim is David Datskiy, 20, of Mount Vernon.

Story Published: May 11, 2008 at 5:20 PM PST

Story Updated: Nov 20, 2008 at 6:40 PM PST

BELLINGHAM — A Skagit County man was stabbed to death during a roadside argument Sunday afternoon, and police are looking for the killer.

Witnesses told police that David Datskiy, 20, of Mount Vernon, and his passenger pulled their vehicle over at about 1 p.m. in the 1500 block of James Street, east of downtown Bellingham.

Another man, who police believe was alone, also pulled over. There was a heated, animated argument between the man and Datskiy, said Lt. Steve Felmley, Bellingham police spokesman.

The argument became physical as the two exchanged punches. Then the man stabbed Datskiy once with a knife and fled the scene.

Datskiy’s passenger, a male friend, drove him to St. Joseph Hospital where he later died, Felmley said.

The stabbing is being investigated as a homicide, Felmley said, adding that police are still looking for the killer.

The suspect is described as a white male, 5 feet 8 inches tall, with a medium build, bald head, no facial hair, wearing a blue shirt and black pants.

Datskiy has several criminal and non-criminal traffic violations on record in several counties, including Whatcom and Skagit counties.

The Bellingham Herald, a media partner of KOMO News, contributed to this report. To read the Bellingham Herald's complete story, click here.