Update: Unknown Victim Stabbed Downtown Bend (Photo) -08/09/20

Case Number:  2020-00101563

Date and Time of Incident:  Saturday, 08-08-2020 at approximately 4:12 PM

Type of Incident:  Stabbing

Location of Incident:  Sidewalk near M&J Tavern

Victim:  35-year old Bend resident

Suspect:  Brian Blanton, 42-year old Bend resident

Suspect Vehicle:  Black 2019 Nissan Armada 4-Door SUV with black rims with NO front or rear license plates (Actual Photos Attached)

Crimes:  Unlawful Use of a Weapon

               Assault in the Second Degree

               Criminal Mischief in the Second Degree

 

NARRATIVE:

On 08-08-2020 at 5:13 PM officers from the Bend Police Department responded to the area near the M&J Tavern located at 102 NW Greenwood Avenue within the city of Bend for a stabbing that had occurred approximately one hour prior.  The bartender at the M&J Tavern reported a patron had entered the establishment and stated he had just been stabbed by another unknown male.  The bartender told the male she was going to call 9-1-1 but the victim said he did not want the police called.

Officers who responded reviewed surveillance video provided by the M&J Tavern and learned that the suspect arrived alone in a black 2019 Nissan Armada with no license plates displayed.  The victim arrived on foot.  The two adult males had both been in the M&J Tavern, in the video poker area, minutes prior to the stabbing.  The two men did not converse or interact with one another so it is unknown what prompted the attack.  The two men left the bar on foot and the suspect stabbed the victim on a sidewalk nearby.  Officers reviewed other surveillance video and learned the victim was stabbed at least one time in the upper left arm.  The suspect discarded the knife near the crime scene and it was recovered by the police.  The suspect fled in the black 2019 Nissan Armada and the victim left on foot.  

At the time of this press release the victim has not been identified.  The Bend Police Department is committed to protecting and serving the community and are asking the victim, or anyone who knows the victim, to come forward to cooperate with the investigation.

Additionally, the suspect is still outstanding and is considered dangerous.  Anyone with information on the whereabouts of the suspect vehicle is asked to NOT approach or attempt contact with the occupants of the vehicle, but rather should call 9-1-1 to report the sighting.

On Sunday, 08-09-2020, about 11:12 AM an employee at the Bend Factory Outlet Stores located at 61334 S Highway 97 in Bend called Deschutes County dispatch to report seeing the suspect vehicle parked nearby.  The caller told dispatchers she had seen the news release and knew that police were looking for the vehicle related to a stabbing.  The caller stated she saw a male sitting in the vehicle.  Officers arrived a short time later, but the vehicle was unoccupied.  At approximately 11:26 AM a male identified as 42-year old Bend resident Brian Blanton approached the officers to inquire why they were around his vehicle.  The original investigating officer immediately recognized Blanton as the suspect in the stabbing, based upon his review of the surveillance video.  Blanton was still wearing the same clothing as he was in the video of the stabbing.  Blanton was subsequently taken into custody and was lodged at the Deschutes County Adult Jail on the charges of Assault in the Second degree and Unlawful Use of a Weapon.

A possible victim has been identified through the suspect interview, however, he has not been contacted as of the time of this release.  The investigation is continuing and more information will be released at a later time.

The Bend Police Department would like to thank the media for posting the story, the public for keeping an eye out for the suspect vehicle, and the Deschutes County Sheriff's Office for their assistance in taking Blanton into custody.

 

********UPDATE********

On 08-09-2020 officers with the Bend Police Department identified the victim of the stabbing as a 35-year old Bend resident.  He was contacted, interviewed and he cooperated with investigators.  He refused medical treatment despite the injury likely needing sutures.

During the interview, officers learned that the victim left the M&J Tavern to return to his vehicle that was parked along the sidewalk on NE Greenwood Avenue.  As he approached his vehicle he saw the suspect, Brian Blanton, slashing one of the tires on his vehicle.  He verbally confronted Blanton who in turn ran at him, kicking him in the chest and cutting his upper left arm one time with a folding “pocket” knife.  The victim recognized Blanton, whom he has known for many years.  Blanton walked away and the victim returned to the M&J Tavern to get some paper towels to stop the bleeding on his arm.  The victim had no explanation as to why Blanton would vandalize one of the tires on his vehicle.

In addition to the previously listed charges, Blanton was also charged with the crime of Criminal Mischief in the Second Degree for the damage he did to the victim’s vehicle tire.