Wanted man arrested after alleged assault on police officer in Tumwater

A 31-year-old man was arrested after allegedly assaulting an officer with a knife.

According to a Tumwater Police Department report, officers responded around 1:58 a.m. on July 24 to a disorderly conduct call at 7-Eleven at 6020 Capitol Blvd. South. A store customer had reported a man yelling at them. 

When responding officers arrived, they spoke with two men nearby. Police said one of them, later identified as Brandon Michael Lee, of Edmonds, initially gave a false name and was released.  

Minutes later, the officers saw Lee crossing Capitol Boulevard against a traffic signal. When they tried to detain him, Lee allegedly ran northbound, prompting a foot chase. Reports said Lee resisted police commands to stop, but officers were able to keep up and tackled him. 

During a struggle, police said Lee held a folding knife concealed in his sleeve and cut an officer on the left wrist.  

“While reaching for my handcuffs, I felt my left hand get extremely warm. I looked down and saw blood dripping from my left wrist, fully covering my hand as well. I looked closer and saw a silver blade protruding from Brandon`s sleeve where his balled-up fist was,” the injured officer stated in the report. 

Officers used force to disarm him, including strikes to his face, before securing the weapon. The injured officer was taken to Providence St. Peter Hospital in Olympia for treatment of a one-half inch laceration. He was later released. The suspect was also taken to the hospital for medical evaluation. 

Authorities said a search of Lee revealed a butterfly knife, drug paraphernalia with suspected methamphetamine residue and other personal items. At Thurston County Corrections Facility, a bag containing 5.9 grams of methamphetamine was found on Lee.

He was booked on suspicion of second-degree assault, obstructing a law enforcement officer, possession of methamphetamine, possession of drug paraphernalia, possession of a dangerous weapon, and on an outstanding Washington State Department of Corrections warrant for escape from community custody.