After midnight Tuesday morning, a Spokane Police officer was sent to an area hospital to investigate an assault after medical staff reported a female was seeking treatment for being hit in the head with an axe.
The officer contacted the female in the trauma room and saw the victim lying on a hospital bed soaked in blood. The victim’s blood-soaked coat was draped over a chair. The officer observed a laceration on the victim’s head that was bleeding continuously, one eye swollen and a large cut on her leg. The head and leg injury were a result of being struck by an axe. The swollen eye was a result of being repeatedly punched in the face. She was visibly shaken and experiencing a significant amount of pain.
It was revealed the victim had been assaulted by her boyfriend, 35-year-old Bradley W. Hudlow. She was reluctant to talk because she feared Hudlow would kill her for reporting the assault. She eventually reported Hudlow was upset because he thought she had spent money for their finances so he threatened to destroy her property. While she was gathering her belongings, Hudlow confronted her in a hallway and began to punch her in the face.
When there was a pause in the assault, the victim tried to run away. Hudlow retrieved an axe and threw it at her, striking her on the leg which caused a large laceration. As she tried to grab the axe to prevent further assault, Hudlow wrestled the weapon away from her. The victim continue to try and flee but Hudlow caught up to her and struck her on the back of the head with the axe. The victim ran into Hudlow’s mother’s room. Hudlow’s mom convinced him to stop his assaultive behavior.
When the victim stated she wanted to go to the hospital, Hudlow told the victim and his mother if they told anyone what had happened he would, “kill both of them.” The victim was picked up by a friend and transported to the hospital.
Officers found the location of the assault at a residence in the area of Helena Street and Pacific Avenue. They took Hudlow into custody without incident and recovered an axe matching the description provided by the victim.
Hudlow was booked into the Spokane County Jail for Assault 2nd degree Domestic Violence and Felony Harassment-Threats to Kill Domestic Violence.
