Murder on Skokomish Reservation

Mason County Sheriff Deputies arrested Dale Red Hawk LaClair, 40, for murder Tuesday after finding LaClair “shirtless and covered in blood” and Paul William Peterson, Jr., 35, apparently beaten to death on the front lawn of a home on the Skokomish Indian Reservation, according to court documents.

MACECOM began receiving calls about a man crying for help around 5 a.m. June 25 and dispatched deputies to North Salish Court on the reservation, according to a probable cause document.

“When the initial responding deputies arrived, they contacted a subject later identified as Dale Red Hawk LaClair. Dale was shirtless and covered in blood,” the document states.

Deputies discovered Peterson in the front yard.

“Although life-saving efforts were taken by the initial responding deputies and later medics that arrived on scene, Paul was pronounced deceased on scene,” MCSO Deputy Helser wrote.

Helser said based on Peterson’s injuries, it appeared he was beaten with an object.

“Immediately adjacent to Paul’s body was a piece of what appeared to be a pointed piece of cinder block which was completely covered in blood,” according to the probable cause document.

Deputies said LaClair also had obvious injuries.

“Dale was wearing a pair of shorts only when he was taken into

custody. Several abrasions could be seen throughout Dale’s body including one on his nose, shoulders, and legs. Dale’s hands had blood and blood could also be observed under his fingernails, on his palms and on his knuckles, which had also begun to swell and bruise,” Helser wrote.

“It was evident Dale had been involved in an altercation,” the document states.

LaClair’s feet were also covered in blood and “the odor of intoxicants emanated from his person while he was in the interview room,” according to the document.

Detectives said witnesses told them LaClair and Peterson were drinking in the front yard of the house when they began arguing.

“Dale also admitted to causing the death of Paul to a witness that approached him soon after the assault,” Helser wrote.

LaClair is currently in custody and had his preliminary appearance yesterday, after the Journal’s press time, in Mason County Superior Court before Judge Daniel Goodell.