Andrew Freeman, the suspect in the stabbing of a 13-year-old as he walked to school, was taken into custody by Everett police Wednesday, according to a police statement.
The arrest occurred around 4 p.m. after a community member alerted 911 to Freeman’s location. Officers responded, verified his identity, and arrested him without incident.
The stabbing happened on the morning of January 16 at around 8 a.m.
Police were dispatched to reports of a stabbing near North Middle School. Responding officers found the 13-year-old boy, who had been stabbed by an adult.
Following the initial incident, police immediately searched for the suspect utilizing a K9 track and drone, however, they were unable to locate him at the time.
The Snohomish County Sheriff’s Office had arrested Freeman on a different case, where he was unknowingly released the next day.
Detectives with the Major Crimes Unit began their investigation, speaking with multiple reporting parties and collecting video footage.
During the search, a photograph of the suspect was obtained.
“I want to thank our police department for their dedication to getting justice for the young student that was attacked earlier this month, and I also want to commend our community and media partners for helping us amplify information about the suspect,” said Everett Mayor Cassie Franklin. “The community plays such an important role in public safety; I encourage our residents to stay informed, be observant and ensure they know the proper channels for reporting both emergency and non-emergency situations.”
Everett Police Chief John DeRousse also expressed his appreciation for the public’s assistance, stating, “We cannot thank the public enough for their assistance in this investigation. From the beginning, we relied on the public’s assistance in identifying this person. Thanks to a community member’s tip, we were able to locate our suspect.”
Freeman will be booked into the Snohomish County Jail on a charge of Assault in the 1st Degree.