Jawahadel Phelon, 24, who has no fixed address, was arrested on suspicion of first-degree assault and malicious harassment.
Malicious harassment, a class C felony, occurs when a crime is committed because of a “perception of the victim’s race, color, religion, ancestry, national origin, gender, sexual orientation or mental, physical or sensory handicap,” according to state statute.
The man who was struck is African-American, according to Lacey Police Lt. Jim Mack. Phelon also is African-American.
Olympia police had detained Phelon earlier Sunday afternoon, after Phelon had visited the Target store in on Olympia’s west side and “made statements about getting a bat and hitting (African-American) people,” court papers state.
Olympia police detained him, then drove him to Providence St. Peter Hospital, court papers state. However, a spokeswoman said Monday that the hospital has no record of admitting Phelon.
Mack said Monday that the man who was struck was treated and released from a hospital. He was struck in the head while standing in line.
The man told police that he “heard a loud bang and felt a blow against his head.”
During the attack, Phelon said he was from the “California set” and that he wanted his money back,” court papers state.
Lacey police responded to a 911 call about 6:20 p.m. The suspect had run from the store still holding the bat, described in court papers as a T-ball bat about 2 feet long.
Witnesses told police that the suspect ran out behind the Sears and into the woods. Olympia police patrol units assisted, and arrested Phelon outside a Dairy Queen. Witnesses from Target identified Phelon; Lacey detectives also obtained surveillance footage showing the attack.
Phelon has a history of mental health issues, court papers state.
Jeremy Pawloski: 360-754-5465
jpawloski@theolympian.com
