Teen stabbed during fight in Freeland; 18-year-old arrested, Sheriff’s Office says

Editor’s note: Several of the people involved in this incident are minors. Skagit Breaking does not identify juveniles and asks readers not to share names or speculation in the comments.

FREELAND, Wash. — Oct. 17, 2026 — An 18-year-old Oak Harbor man was arrested Saturday morning after a 15-year-old boy was stabbed during a fight among teenagers in Freeland, according to the Island County Sheriff’s Office.

Deputies were dispatched at about 3:30 a.m. Saturday to a home on Fish Road in Freeland for a reported stabbing. Emergency crews treated the 15-year-old at the scene before he was flown to Seattle’s Harborview Medical Center. He was reported in stable condition.

Investigators say the incident started as a physical fight between the teen and a group of other juveniles, ages 15 to 17. The fight escalated when an 18-year-old stabbed the 15-year-old at least twice, the Sheriff’s Office said.

The 18-year-old and several of the juveniles left before deputies arrived and returned to Oak Harbor. Deputies found him at his Oak Harbor home a short time later and arrested him without incident. He was booked into the Island County Jail for investigation of first-degree assault.

The Sheriff’s Office identified the suspect as Vladek Salazar-Leyva, 18, of Oak Harbor. He has not been convicted of a crime and is presumed innocent unless proven guilty in court.

The investigation is ongoing. The Sheriff’s Office said no further details are being released at this time and that updates will be shared as they become available.

Contact: Tips about the incident or those involved can go to Detective Davison by calling ICOM dispatch, 360-679-9567, or by emailing tips@islandcountywa.gov.

Families with teens who may know those involved are encouraged to check in with their kids and connect them with a school counselor or other trusted adult if they need support.

Source: Island County Sheriff’s Office news release, Oct. 17, 2026.