A passenger on the Clinton-to-Mukilteo ferry was arrested Wednesday morning after threatening another passenger with a large knife, according to Washington State Patrol spokeswoman Heather Axtman.
Nobody was injured in the incident.
At about 7:42 a.m., someone on board the Washington State Ferry Kittitas called 911 and reported that a man had brandished a weapon toward a juvenile. Terminal Security Troopers who investigated determined that it was a large kitchen knife displayed after a confrontation.
The troopers were able to quickly identify and detain the suspect to end any threat to the victim, ferry patrons and State Ferries personnel, according to a State Patrol press release.
The 39-year-old male suspect was on the car deck when he allegedly threatened the juvenile over a theft accusation made against the juvenile.
Troopers searched the suspect but didn’t find the knife; one matching its description was found in the men’s restroom on the ferry, the press release stated.
The incident began at the Clinton dock. The weapon brandishing occurred in Island County waters during the sailing, so the case will be handled by the Island County Prosecutor’s Office. The office reported it hasn’t received a referral on the case from the State Patrol yet.
The incident delayed ferry services for about 30 minutes while troopers investigated.