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Sumas Woman with Severe Head Injury Remains in Serious Condition

March 23, 2005

A Sumas man accused of attacking his neighbor Sunday admitted to police that he struck a woman, sending her to the hospital.

Aaron Ostby, 24, a neighbor of the accused, Fritz Wayne Anderson, 45, of Sumas, Washington, returned home on Sunday, February 20, 2005 around 5 p.m. Mr. Ostby said he and his girlfriend had just come home when he heard screaming and shuffling coming from Mr. Andersons' apartment upstairs.

Mr. Ostby walked upstairs to see if someone was fighting, and then heard the commotion. According to Mr. Otsby, once he walked upstairs to Mr. Andersons' apartment, he noticed Elaine Harvey, 59, laying in the doorway on her side with blood on the back of her head. A bag of groceries was next to the body. Mr. Otsby noticed that Mr. Anderson's door was slightly open. However, Mr. Anderson had not come outside. Apparently, Mr. Anderson had flown into a rage and hit Ms. Harvey on the head with a hammer. The cause of the incident was not disclosed.

Mr. Otsby called 911 after discovering Ms. Harvey. Mr. Otsby stated that he would have never guessed that Mr. Anderson could be capable of such violence. Mr. Otsby also indicated that Mr. Anderson was the most social and friendly person he had met in the building.

According to court papers, Mr. Anderson has been contacted several times for problems related to a mental illness. Mr. Otsby's statements seem to support that contention. According to Mr. Otsby, Mr. Anderson was non-chalant and remained at the scene while the police were questioning witnesses.

Ms. Harvey suffered a severe head injury that nearly killed her and required surgery. Ms. Harvey was flown to St. Joseph Hospital by helicopter. Harvey remained in serious condition Tuesday night at St. Joseph Hospital.

After interviewing neighbors and gathering evidence, police arrested Mr. Anderson. Mr. Anderson made his initial court appearance in the courtroom at the Whatcom County Jail, where he is being held on suspicion of assault. Mr. Anderson's bail was set at $250,000 and he was ordered to have a mental-health evaluation.

He also has pleaded guilty to harassment and domestic violence assault in municipal and district courts for earlier cases. However, he has no felony convictions in Whatcom County. Mr. Anderson is scheduled to enter a plea at his arraignment on March 4, 2005.