Assault leaves man with brain swelling

SOAP LAKE — A man is facing charges for allegedly entering another man’s RV in Soap Lake and leaving the victim with brain swelling after assaulting him.

Grant County prosecutors charged Raymond Hyce, 49, of Ephrata, in Grant County Superior Court with first-degree assault. Prosecutors also filed an alternative charge of second-degree assault against Hyce.

On Tuesday the Soap Lake Police Department responded to a report of an assault in the area of First Avenue Northeast and Fern Street North. The victim in the alleged assault was found walking Fern Street and was reportedly bloody and had a swollen left eye. The victim was transported to Columbia Basin Hospital in Ephrata, where he was later diagnosed with a broken orbital bone under his left eye and brain swelling, according to court documents.

The victim told a SLPD officer he was asleep in his RV in the 100 block of Fern Street when Hyce came into the RV. Hyce allegedly started to assault the victim and told him the RV did not belong to him. During the assault the victim claims he was punched and head-butted by Hyce several times. At some point during the altercation Hyce allegedly grabbed a knife and told the victim “I will stab you."

Hyce and the victim reportedly got out of the RV and Hyce continued to assault the man by punching and head-butting him. The SLPD officer created a photo lineup and the victim reportedly positively identified Hyce from the lineup and named him as the man who assaulted him.

The SLPD officer attempted to locate Hyce at a residence on Third Avenue Northeast in Soap Lake, but did not find him at the location. The officer then went to the 100 block of Fern Street and reportedly located a knife on the ground near the victim’s RV. The victim later identified the knife as the one Hyce threatened him with.

Grant County Jail records indicate Hyce was booked into jail on Tuesday.

Richard Byrd can be reached via email at city@columbiabasinherald.com.