Staff members injured in alleged assaults by patient at Telecare Triage 

An assault at a behavioral health facility led to the arrest of a 41-year-old patient.

The incident occurred at Telecare Triage, located at 3285 Ferguson St SW in Tumwater, on Wednesday, Oct. 22, according to a Thurston County Sheriff's Office report.

Staff members said the patient, identified as Christoffer Noel Pearson, of Pasco, became aggressive during a discussion about his discharge.

According to information provided to investigators, Pearson allegedly attacked an employee inside one of the facility’s rooms.

 “He had been struck multiple times in the face and back of the neck before Christoffer got ahold of his hair and pinned him in the corner before beginning to knee him in the ribs,” a responding deputy stated in the report.

Additional staff intervened and were able to remove the employee from the area. 

Personnel attempted to escort Pearson to a secure holding room, but he reportedly continued resisting while being moved down the hallway. Once inside the holding room, the suspect allegedly struck another staff member in the head as he exited.

Medical personnel evaluated injured staff on-site. One of the employees was advised to undergo further tests to determine whether rib injuries occurred during the incident. No severe visible injuries were reported for the other staff member. 

Four staff members were involved in securing Pearson following the initial assault. Investigators later reviewed statements from employees who were present during the confrontation, including one employee who observed the suspect breaking a phone shortly before the incident began. The witness told authorities the suspect appeared agitated after a phone call. 

Pearson was arrested on two counts of third-degree assault and was transported to Thurston County Corrections Facility.