Bellingham man sentenced for stabbing former roommate near downtown

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A 25-year-old Bellingham man named Bennie Washington has been sentenced to nearly 16 years in prison after a jury found him guilty of attempted murder for stabbing his former roommate near the Whatcom County Jail last summer. The victim suffered a fractured vertebrae and a punctured diaphragm but recovered from the attack. Another 18-year-old attacker, Jose Juarez-Montes of Everett, was sentenced in November to three years in prison for his role in the incident.

Why it matters

Violent crimes involving former roommates or acquaintances can raise concerns about housing instability, mental health issues, and the need for better conflict resolution resources in the community. This case also highlights the ongoing challenges Bellingham faces with property crime and violence near the county jail.

The details

According to court documents, Bennie Washington and the victim used to be roommates. In June 2025, police found the victim with two stab wounds in his back near the Whatcom County Jail. Witnesses said Washington and another man, 18-year-old Jose Juarez-Montes, had been in a fight with the victim and stabbed him. The victim was hospitalized but recovered from the attack, which left him with a fractured vertebrae and a punctured diaphragm.

• In June 2025, police arrested Washington after finding the victim with stab wounds near the Whatcom County Jail.
• In November, Juarez-Montes was sentenced to three years in prison for his role in the attack.

What’s next

Each of the attackers' sentences will be followed by over a year in community custody.