A man who stabbed a private security officer in the face during a shoplifting incident at Vancouver Mall has been sentenced to more than six years in prison.
Kyle T. Hall, 25, of Yacolt pleaded guilty Thursday in Clark County Superior Court to first-degree robbery with a deadly weapon and possession of methamphetamine. The attack occurred near the entrance to Macy’s, 8208 N.E. Vancouver Mall Drive, on Jan. 14.
Hall’s sentence included a 24-month deadly weapon enhancement because he used a knife in the attack.
According to a probable cause affidavit, three private loss prevention officers attempted to stop Hall about 7 p.m. outside the store, after they saw him steal clothing. He became physically combative and was taken to the ground.
The officers, Alexander Schuurmans, David Peters and Ariel Lee, started to escort Hall to their office. But Hall 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 said.
The officers overpowered Hall and took him to the ground again. They held him until police arrived, court records state.
Police recovered a knife and pepper-spray container nearby and found a small quantity of methamphetamine in Hall’s possession, according to court documents.
Peters received stitches at a hospital for a cut to his face, the prosecution said Thursday.
Hall was also taken to a hospital for a medical evaluation, because he said he had swallowed a bag of heroin before police arrived, the affidavit said.
Hall apologized on Thursday to his family and the victims, who were not present, for his actions.
His attorney, Louis Byrd Jr., described the situation as a “tragic spiral downhill.”
Judge Daniel Stahnke agreed to follow the attorneys’ previously agreed-upon sentencing recommendation of 75 months. Hall will also serve 18 months of community custody on the robbery conviction and 12 months of community custody on the drug conviction. He was given credit for 61 days in custody.
In addition, Hall will have to undergo a substance abuse evaluation and treatment.
