Assault charges upped to premeditated murder

COLFAX—A Pullman man who allegedly kidnapped and stabbed his ex-girlfriend is now being charged with first degree murder premeditated, first degree kidnapping bodily injury and three counts of second degree assault. The increased charges were filed Aug. 5 by the Whitman County Prosecutor’s Office.

Jose Chagollan-Flores, 35, was booked Aug. 3 on charges of kidnapping and second degree assault.

According to the police report, Chagollan-Flores arrived at the home of the victim with a knife and told her to get in and drive a Lincoln Navigator, allegedly stating he was going to kill her.

Two people in a sedan delivering papers saw the SUV driving weird. After passing, the victim jumped out of the SUV and into the sedan, asking for help. According to the report, Chagollan-Flores rammed the back of the sedan with the SUV, then got out and attempted to grab one of the witnesses before pulling the victim out of the vehicle, throwing her to the ground and allegedly making stabbing motions with a knife.

According to the police report, Chagollan-Flores was seated in the SUV when officers arrived, smoking a cigarette and ignoring police orders. Officers broke the window to extract Chagollan-Flores. According to the report, officers observed a strong smell of intoxicates from Chagollan-Flores.

The victim was treated for non-life-threatening knife wounds at Pullman Regional Hospital. Officers received a search warrant for the SUV and recovered several blood samples and a knife.

Bail was set at $1.5 million surety, $150,000 cash.

Chagollan-Flores was arraigned before Court Commissioner Howard Neill Aug. 7 with a Spanish interpreter joining. Arraignment was continued to for Aug. 14.