Bellingham Police release sketch of man who attacked jogger at Lake Padden for no reason

BELLINGHAM, Wash. — Bellingham police have released a sketch of a man they believe randomly attacked a jogger at Lake Padden on June 22.

With the help of witness statements, police were able to create a sketch of the man, whom they described as “an average-sized to well-built white male in his 30s, approximately 5’8″ to 5’10” tall with a clearly visible receding hairline.”

According to witnesses, the man was wearing blue jeans and possibly a gray shirt on the day of the attack.

According to the police report, a woman was running on a trail on the southeast side of Lake Padden when a man threw her to the ground and punched her several times in the face.

Two people nearby heard the woman’s screams and ran to see what had happened. Police believe the witnesses probably scared the man away.

“There was a person walking along the path in front of her. As she approached the person and tried to pass him, the person turned around and basically attacked her,” said Megan Peters, BPD spokesperson.

Peters said the woman had no contact with the man before the attack.

The woman was taken to hospital for injuries that were not life-threatening.

After the incident, the police deployed two dog teams to search the area, but were unable to find the man.

Police told KOMO News that this incident is concerning people because the area where it occurred is a popular spot. Police recommend that people who are outdoors do so in the company of at least one other person or in a densely populated area.

Anyone who recognizes the man in the sketch is asked to contact Bellingham Police.