A homeless man was in court Tuesday for allegedly stabbing a private security officer in the face during a suspected shoplifting incident Saturday at Vancouver Mall.
Kyle T. Hall, 25, appeared in Superior Court on suspicion of first- and second-degree robbery in connection with the attack near the entrance to Macy’s, 8208 N.E. Vancouver Mall Drive.
Three private loss prevention officers approached Hall at about 7 p.m. outside the store after they saw him allegedly steal clothing. Hall became physically combative and was taken to the ground, according to a probable cause affidavit.
The officers, identified in court records as Alexander Schuurmans, David Peters and Ariel Lee, began escorting him to their office. That’s when Hall allegedly took out a can of pepper spray and sprayed Schuurmans in the face. Peters grabbed Hall from behind, but he twisted away, pulled a knife and stabbed Peters in the face, the affidavit states.
The officers overpowered Hall and took him to the ground again, where they held him until police arrived, court records said. Hall told police, “I didn’t really mean to do it. Kimberly made me do it!” according to court documents.
Police search
Police recovered a knife and pepper-spray container nearby and found a small quantity of suspected methamphetamine in Hall’s possession. Police said a search of his backpack turned up possible burglary gear, including a mask, glass breaker and other tools, the affidavit said.
Vancouver police reported that Peters was taken to a hospital with a wound not believed to be life-threatening. Hall was also taken to a hospital for a medical evaluation, because he said he had swallowed a bag of heroin before police arrived, court records state.
The prosecution said Tuesday that Hall had multiple convictions in 2016, including for drug possession and assault.
Judge Scott Collier appointed Hall an attorney and set his bail at $100,000. He will be arraigned Jan. 27.
