SPOKANE, Wash. — A man accused of attacking a priest during church service in Spokane has a history of assault charges and mental health.
Joshua Sommers was charged with fourth-degree assault Thursday morning in Spokane County Municipal Court for attacking a priest at Cathedral of Our Lady of Lourdes Tuesday, February 4.
WATCH: Security camera captures attack on Spokane priest during church service
According to court documents, Sommers has a history of attacks dating back to 2003.
A Competency Evaluation Report shows Sommers had multiple stays at Eastern State Hospital between 2003 and 2006.
In February 2004, Sommers was arrested for attacking an ESH employee, but his charges were dismissed.
In 2016, Sommers was admitted to Western State Hospital after spending more than 13 years in prison for shooting at a police officer in Cowlitz County.
At WSH, Sommers reported hearing voices and bouts of paranoia. He was discharged in 2020 and sent to Spokane Valley to receive treatment from Frontier Behavioral Health.
In April 2022, Sommers was accused of striking an employee at Inland Northwest Behavioral Health.
In that incident, court documents say Sommers refused to take his medication and struck multiple employees who tried to administer medication via syringe.
Court documents show a judge dismissed the charges saying Sommers was not competent to stand trial. A psychological report from Washington Department of Social and Health Services showed Sommers was diagnosed with schizophrenia.
In July 2023, Sommers was arrested again accused of assaulting an employee at Inland Northwest Behavioral Health. Sommers allegedly punched an employee multiple times, stole their keys, and left the clinic.
He was arrested and is facing assault and robbery charges. He made his first appearance on these charges Thursday, February 6.
During the appearance, Commissioner Tony Rugel set his bail for $75,000. An arraignment was scheduled for February 19.
Court documents show Sommers also faces multiple fourth-degree assault charges for incidents on August 2, 2023 and August 28, 2023 at Sacred Heart Hospital.
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