Matthew R. Samlock, 37, who lists no fixed address, died of a “penetrating stab wound to the chest,” according to Thurston County Coroner Gary Warnock.
Two 21-year-old transients were arrested Saturday morning on suspicion of second-degree murder in connection with Samlock’s death. One of the suspects had been released from prison a week ago, court papers state.
Samlock was found injured on a sidewalk at 6:10 p.m. Friday off Cooper Point Road. Medics arrived and discovered he’d been stabbed. Samlock died at the scene.
Samlock and the suspects were staying at an encampment under a bridge on Cooper Point Road and had an altercation Friday afternoon that led to the stabbing. According to court papers, the suspects were angry with Samlock because “it appeared to them that someone had gone through their stuff and moved stuff around” while they were gone.
A witness who also was staying at the encampment helped police identify the suspects, court papers state.
The man believed to have committed the stabbing was located by an Olympia police detective at Capital Medical Center on Saturday, court papers state. He was there receiving treatment for a hand injury. The other suspect gave the knife to the injured suspect immediately before the crime occurred, according to court papers.
Police have recovered the knife, court papers state.
The area of Cooper Point Road Southwest between Evergreen Park Drive Southwest and Carriage Drive Southwest was closed off during the investigation Friday night.
Jeremy Pawloski: 360-754-5445 jpawloski@theolympian.com
