Olympia landlord accused of choking tenant after dispute over utilities, police say

Olympia police responded to a dispute between a landlord and renter last week after the landlord allegedly choked his tenant.

About 8:30 p.m. Sept. 21, police were called to the 1600 block of Madison Avenue Northwest where the 31-year-old male victim explained the incident, said police Lt. Paul Lower.

He and his 48-year-old landlord first had argued over the number of guests who had visited his room that same afternoon, then he alleged that the landlord shut off his power and water to the unit in retaliation.

That resulted in a second argument, Lower said.

The victim alleges that the landlord then put both his hands around his neck and began choking him. The younger man broke fee from his grasp and the two parties separated, Lower said.

By the time police arrived, the suspect was gone. Police also checked other addresses connected to the suspect, but could not find him, Lower said.

Police have referred the case to the Thurston County Prosecutor’s Office, recommending a charge of second-degree assault, Lower said.

This story was originally published September 30, 2025 at 11:13 AM.