Brian C. Toombs, 28, appeared Monday morning in Clark County Superior Court to face an allegation of attempted first-degree domestic violence murder. He stands accused of stabbing his mother Friday night at their home in the Wildwood neighborhood of Vancouver.
Judge John Fairgrieve set Toombs’ bail at $500,000, a quarter-million below the amount requested by Deputy Prosecutor Greg Harvey.
Toombs appeared in court wearing a suicide-prevention smock, a garment routinely given to inmates accused of certain violent offenses and who may try to harm themselves with standard jail clothing. He did not speak beyond confirming his name and age.
Toombs was arrested shortly after his mother was stabbed.
Shortly before 5 p.m., a man who identified himself as Toombs called 911 to report that his mother had tried to attack him. He told dispatchers he stabbed her with scissors, according to emergency radio traffic monitored at The Columbian.
“Brian told police dispatch that he stabbed his mother about 10 times and that she was not alive,” according to a probable cause affidavit.
Officers responded to the home in the 13100 block of Southeast Angus Street. They detained Toombs without incident and found his mother unconscious in the living room. She had suffered multiple stab wounds around her face and neck. Officers noted apparent blood spatter on Toombs’ clothing, according to the affidavit.
Sonya L. Toombs, 57, was taken to a hospital in critical condition with life-threatening injuries. An emergency room physician informed detectives that the woman was stabbed at least four times, according to the affidavit.
Harvey said Sonya Toombs remains in intensive care as of Monday morning. He said two of the stab wounds penetrated her brain. The doctor said her injuries were potentially fatal, according to the affidavit.
The son and mother apparently were arguing about money and Brian Toombs’ lifestyle, Harvey said. Toombs grabbed shears and attacked the victim in the living room, without warning, from behind.
Toombs told police he attacked his mother and intended to kill her, Harvey said. He also said he harbored ill will toward his father, according to the prosecutor.
A family member told authorities that Brian Toombs has been diagnosed with schizophrenia, and they were unsure if he had been taking his medication consistently or whether he was taking the right amount.
With the exception of a negligent driving conviction in 2016 and a criminal trespassing charge dismissed about five years ago due to competency reasons, Toombs does not have a criminal history, according to Harvey.
The prosecutor requested the large bail amount based on concern for the safety of Toombs’ family and the public.
Toombs is due back in court Tuesday morning to enter an order for a competency evaluation.
