Roommate burned after argument

Police investigate motive

MOSES LAKE - A female reportedly burned her sleeping roommate in their South Clover Drive apartment after a verbal argument.

Earline L. Norris, 35, Moses Lake, was arrested for assault in the first degree-domestic violence after allegedly pouring a pot of boiling water on her 24-year-old female roommate early Wednesday morning.

Moses Lake Capt. Dave Ruffin said Norris boiled the water with intent to harm her roommate. She was not cooking and it was not accidental, he said.

The victim was sleeping at the time of the incident, Ruffin said. After allegedly pouring the boiling water on the victim, Norris struck the victim with the searing pot leaving more injuries and burns on her face and arms, he said.

Ruffin said the victim was taken to Samaritan Healthcare for burn treatment, received stitches to her face and was released the same day.

Norris was not arrested at the apartment, he said. The suspect reportedly fled the area after the incident and was arrested several hours later.

Ruffin said he did not have information related to where Norris was arrested because the incident report was not yet complete.

Police are investigating the motive of the incident, he added.