Birch Bay woman faces attempted murder charges

A 64-year-old Birch Bay woman is facing attempted murder charges after allegedly trying to assault her neighbor with a hunting knife on December 3.

The victim, who had previously reported harassment from her neighbor, Kathy Jo Andersen, encountered Andersen in her yard while she was leaving for work.

The victim told police that Andersen repeatedly charged her with a hunting knife in an attempt to kill her. Using a lawn chair to fend her off, the victim was able to escape to her vehicle while Andersen chased her and tried to open the car door.

Using the door, the victim pushed Andersen away, which allowed her to leave the scene unharmed and call 911, the sheriff’s office said.

Deputies arrived at 6 a.m. to the 4700 block of Birch Bay-Lynden Road near the intersection of Harborview Road, according to the Whatcom County Sheriff’s Office.

Police arrested Andersen without incident after a few minutes of negotiating outside Andersen’s home. During this time, Andersen told deputies she wanted the victim “to know what it felt like to be threatened.”

A sheriff’s office spokesperson told The Northern Light that deputies had responded on several occasions where Andersen experienced mental health crises over the past few years. The neighbor had reported Andersen in her yard previously, including an early morning incident on October 12 when Andersen threatened her neighbor with a Taser, according an affidavit of probable cause from the sheriff’s office.

Andersen is booked in Whatcom County Jail for second-degree criminal attempt of murder and felony violation of an Order for Protection that was granted in October.

Andersen is being held on $250,000 bond, according to jail booking data.