Abduction, escape, ends in stabbing outside Pullman

PULLMAN—Law enforcement officers from the Whitman County Sheriff’s Office, Pullman Police Department and Washington State University Police Department responded to the report of an abduction and stabbing near the intersection of Whelan and Kitzmiller roads at approximately 2:20 a.m. Saturday morning.

Upon arrival officers located and provided aid to an injured female who appeared to have been stabbed numerous times. The suspect, who was still in the area when officers arrived, was immediately identified and taken into custody.

Witnesses who happened upon the scene just prior to the assault called 911 after the female escaped from the suspect’s vehicle and climbed into the back of their vehicle pleading for help. According to the witnesses, it was at that time the suspect, identified as Jose Chagollan-Flores, 35, of Pullman, intentionally drove his late model Lincoln Navigator into rear end of the witness’ vehicle at a high rate of speed. Chagollan-Flores is then alleged to have pulled the victim from the vehicle, threw her to the ground and stabbed her numerous times with a knife.

Investigators from the Sheriff’s Office spent most of the early morning hours at that location documenting the scene and collecting evidence. Chagollan-Flores was transported to the Whitman County Sheriff’s Office where he was booked on domestic violence related charges of kidnapping and felony assault.

The victim was transported to Pullman Regional Hospital where she was treated for her injuries which are not considered to be life threatening.

This case is still under investigation.