Bellingham, WA On Tuesday February 9th Collin D. Cofield, a 24 year old Bellingham resident, was booked into Whatcom County Jail for Assault in the 1st Degree Domestic Violence. This assault occurred at a residence within the trailer park at 1200 Lincoln Street.
Officers and Medics responded to a residence at Lakeway Mobile Estates shortly after 3 p.m. Medics began treating an 87 year old female that had been severely beaten by Cofield. As soon as the female was stabilized she was transported to PeaceHealth St. Joseph Medical Center.
Officers were able to determine that Cofield had left the area after completing the assault. They also learned that the female that he injured is his grandmother. Several officers began searching for Cofield. He was located by Neighborhood Anti-Crime Team officers at about 8 p.m. under a bridge at Roeder and Central Streets. He is known to camp in this general area. When contacted he chose not to speak with our officers or detectives.
According to the victim, Cofield has been allowed to occasionally visit her home. At times in the past he has become unruly and they have agreed that he must leave when he starts acting in this manner. She explained that the visit today started normally but Cofield started getting loud and out of control. When she told him it was time to leave he became enraged and launched an attack against her. During this attack he produced a “stick” and began beating her with this weapon. As he was striking her he was demanding that she give him money. He eventually stopped beating on his grandma and fled the scene. This is when she was able to make her way to her neighbor's home to get help.
When our NACT officers located Cofield they also located a stick that is believed to be the weapon used during the assault. It is a piece of doweling similar to a tool handle. The wooden item is about 25 inches long and close to 1 ½ inches in diameter.
The female victim remains at the hospital being treated for multiple injuries including bruises, a broken cheekbone, a broken finger and a broken rib. The victim was struck on her cheekbone and temple with enough force that one of her hearing aids was broken by the impact.
As indicated earlier Cofield has resided in Bellingham for a number of years. He has been contacted by our agency multiple times and, prior to Tuesday, has been arrested for assaultive behavior on six occasions in the last ten years.
