King county prosecutors have charged Brian Jospeh Laur with felony harassment, obstructing law enforcement and resisting arrest, following his arrest on Vashon on Aug. 13.

According to a police report, Laur was arrested on Aug. 13 after brandishing a knife and threatening to kill an islander at King County Metro Park and Ride, located at 20221 Vashon Highway SW.

The Beachcomber is not naming the alleged victim of the felony harassment charge in order to protect their privacy.

Charges were filed on Aug. 17, with bond for Laur set at $25,000. Prosecutors have also stipulated that Laur should have no contact with the victim.

As of press time, Laur remains in jail.

According to charging documents, Laur had been residing for several months in two vehicles parked at the Park and Ride at the time of the alleged crime.

On Aug. 13, an event that was open to the public was taking place on a nearby adjacent property, with some of those attending parking their cars at the Park and Ride, as Laur played loud music and cursed at the attendees.

The victim, the charging papers said, was working at the event, and approached Laur to ask him to turn down his music and remind him that other people were allowed to park in the lot.

The papers state that during this encounter, Laur pulled out a large knife and threatened to kill the victim, using abusive and profane language. The victim captured a photo of Laur holding the knife.

Laur’s criminal history includes convictions for assault in 2004 and theft in 2003; he has had six warrants issued for his arrest since 2003. His arraignment took place on Aug. 31, where Lauer pleaded not guilty. Next up in the case is a routine pre-trial hearing on Oct. 26.

Information still sought in recent hit-and-run

Detectives for King County Sheriff’s Office (KCSO) are investigating the death of a longtime islander, Philip Cushman, as a fatality hit and run, and seeking the community’s help in gathering information.

At approximately 10:30 p.m. Monday, Aug. 22, Cushman, who was 77 years old, was found deceased in the 17800 block of Thorsen Rd. SW, near his residence. He had been reported missing by a family member after he did not return from his usual early evening walk.

Cushman’s body was found by KCSO deputies, who had been joined by Vashon Island Fire & Rescue and some friends of the Cushman family in a search.

According to Zoe Birkbeck, a spokesperson for KCSO, it is believed that Cushman was hit by a vehicle between 7:30 p.m. and 8 p.m. while he was out on his walk.

Detectives are partnering with Crime Stoppers of Puget Sound in seeking the community’s help with information on what occurred or who may have been involved.

Those with information should call anonymously at 1-800-222-TIPS or give information online at P3Tips.com, referencing case #C22028022.

Trial dates for other felony charges

Vashon resident Michael Henderson was charged with two felony counts of vehicular homicide and hit-and-run on April 12, in connection with the death of islander Nathan Dorn, Jr., who died after he was struck by a moving vehicle as he walked along the shoulder of Vashon Hwy. SW on the evening of April 4.

Henderson’s next hearing is a routine pre-trial hearing at 1 p.m. on Thursday, Sept. 22, with a trial date set for Nov. 17. However, according to the director of communications for King County Prosecuting Attorney’s Office, Casey McNerthney, if there is a continuance granted by a judge that affects the pre-trial hearing, that would likely move the trial date.

As of press time, Henderson still remains in jail, with bail set at $100,000, with multiple additional conditions of bail as prosecutors believe he is a flight risk and a danger to the community.

Vashon resident Luciano Alvarado-Fuentes is also awaiting trial in King County Superior Court. Alvarado-Fuentes was charged on Tuesday, Nov. 16, 2021, with third-degree rape, a felony in the state of Washington.

The charges were filed after an alleged assault of a 19-year-old woman at a Vashon home.

Alvarado-Fuentes has pleaded not guilty and was released after posting $30,000 bail.

His next pre-trial hearing is scheduled for Sept. 16. His trial date is now set for Oct. 25, but if one of the routine pre-trial hearing dates is continued, that would likely change the trial date, said McNerthney.