WWPD arrest suspect following stabbing inside hospital waiting room
By Dan Thesman on Thursday, May 8th, 2025 in Columbia Basin News More Top Stories
WALLA WALLA – The Walla Walla Police Department responded at 11:35 p.m. Tuesday to a stabbing in the waiting room of Providence St. Mary Medical Center’s Emergency Department.
Witnesses reported that Jorge Ivan Cisneros-Tovar, 31, of Walla Walla started stabbing a 21-year-old male victim without warning. A bystander who was also in the waiting area intervened, and hospital security detained Cisneros-Tovar until police arrived and arrested him. The victim, also from Walla Walla, was immediately taken into the emergency department for medical treatment. No further details about the victim’s condition or injuries have been released.
“During the course of the investigation, Cisneros-Tovar stated that he believed the victim was responsible for the death of a friend,” WWPD Public Information Officer Sgt. Nick Loudermilk said. “This perceived motive, however, remains under investigation.”
Cisneros-Tovar made his first court appearance in Walla Walla County Superior Court Wednesday afternoon in which further details about the alleged crime were released.
Walla Walla County Deputy Prosecuting Attorney Melanie Dane said more charges are expected as Cisneros-Tovar indicated he stabbed the individual at the hospital “because he wanted to go to jail to kill another individual.” Cisneros-Tovar was booked into the Walla Walla County Jail on assault in the first degree and is being held on $1 million bond. His arraignment is scheduled for May 19.
