Forty-year-old suspect arrested after altercation and charged with Murder in the Second Degree

On Friday (Jan. 27) at about 9:06 p.m., a 9-1-1 caller reported a disturbance in a room at the Sunnyside Motel located at 12200 NE Highway 99. Clark County Sheriff’s Office deputies responded and located two males in the motel room who appeared to have been in a physical altercation. 

One male was detained by deputies, and the other exhibited substantial external injuries and was unconscious. Medical aid was rendered to the injured male by medics. Shortly thereafter, the male was pronounced deceased at the scene. 

The Clark County Sheriff’s Office Major Crimes Unit responded to investigate. An on-scene witness described to detectives that an altercation had occurred between the two males in the motel room and began looking for help from another motel guest to call 9-1-1. 

Jonathan D. Smith, 40, was identified as the detained male from the hotel room. Smith invoked his right to remain silent when interviewed by detectives. Search warrants were served on the crime scene location and on Smith. Based on the current investigation, Smith was arrested for RCW 9A.32.050, Murder in the Second Degree and booked into the Clark County Jail.

This is an ongoing active investigation by the Clark County Sheriff’s Office Major Crimes Unit being assisted by the Washington State Patrol Crime Scene Response Team. 

The decedent’s name is not being released pending official identification and next of kin notification by the Clark County Medical Examiner’s Office. There are no outstanding suspects and no danger to the public as a result of this incident. 

Information provided by Clark County Sheriff’s Office.