On Tuesday, Nov. 5, 2024, at approximately 9:45 p.m. Northwest Branch patrol responded to reports of an injured male in the area of 118 Avenue and 87 Street. Upon arrival, police located a male Lyft driver who had been stabbed.
Officers immediately administered first aid and transported the 35-year-old man to hospital. The driver was treated for serious, life-threatening injuries and has since been discharged.
Investigators have since determined that the driver picked up an adult male and female for a scheduled Lyft ride in the area of 116 Street and 87 Avenue. Upon arrival at their intended destination, the male passenger stabbed the driver. The driver was able to escape the vehicle and sought assistance from bystanders, who called 911. Both suspects then fled in the vehicle, abandoning it nearby moments later and fleeing on foot.
With the assistance of Lyft, detectives identified the suspects and took them into custody on Sunday, Nov. 10, 2024. Walter Laroche, 43, and Paige Laroche, 29, were subsequently remanded and both charged with attempted murder and robbery. Walter Laroche is also facing the additional charge of possession of a weapon.
“The suspects and the driver were not known to one another, and this violent attack was completely unprovoked,” says Detective Bryan Niehaus with the EPS Investigative Response Team. “We are thankful that our officers responded so quickly, as they undoubtedly saved the driver’s life.”