$1 million bail set for murder suspect
Published 10:47 am Thursday, February 4, 2016
CENTRAL KITSAP — A Bremerton man was charged with murder in the second degree after he allegedly stabbed another man Jan. 29.
Sheriff’s patrol deputies responded to a residence in the Camelot Mobile Home Park, 5307 State Highway 303 NE, in Central Kitsap, concerning a 911 call made at 4:22 p.m. regarding a possible stabbing.
Patrol deputies arrived on-scene at 4:29 p.m. Emergency first aid was provided by Central Kitsap Fire & Rescue. Sheriff’s detectives confirmed that Travis Lee Fish, 27, was found deceased inside the premises of the mobile home.
Detectives identified Dustin Robert Cupp, 31, of Bremerton, as a primary suspect.
According to the KCSO statement of probable cause, Fish’s mother said she saw two males fighting with her son outside her trailer. The two males fled, and the mother helped Fish into her residence. A bloody knife was found at the scene.
Deputies detained Brian E. Wiscarson, one of the two men allegedly involved. Wiscarson said that Cupp believed Lee was a “snitch” and that Cupp went to Lee’s residence to kill him, possibly as a means to gain credibility with criminal associates.
Wiscarson said he saw Cupp hit Fish in the chest. Security footage in the area did not capture the assault, but it did show Wiscarson and Cupp running away in different directions.
Cupp did not immediately turn himself into law enforcement nor did he call 911 to report the assault. Cupp was taken into custody at 10:05 p.m. that day, without incident, at a private residence in Central Kitsap. Cupp allegedly had blood on his hands and clothing at the time of his arrest.
According to the probable cause statement, Cupp said “I did it,” “I don’t know how things got to this point,” and “I didn’t do it.” Later, Cupp was cooperative and emotional with investigators and said he did stab Fish in the chest with a folding knife.
Cupp told investigators that Fish and Wiscarson were acting strangely that day, and thus Cupp was afraid they were going to harm him. Cupp said he then pulled out his knife in self defense.
Bail was set at $1 million.
Persons who may have information about the case may call 911 or Detective Nicole Menge at 360-337-7117.
According to court documents, Cupp had been previously charged with possession of methamphetamine, a felony, in June 2015. A Washington State Patrol trooper pulled Cupp over because Cupp was allegedly driving while talking on his cell phone. Methamphetamine, heroin and drug paraphernalia were allegedly found in Cupp’s possession during the stop.
Also in June, 2015, Cupp was charged with assault in the fourth degree after he allegedly injured a woman’s hand during an argument.
