Man charged with attempted murder for trying to throw acquaintance off Monroe St. Bridge

A 34-year-old man was arrested on charges of attempted murder Tuesday after police say he attempted to throw an acquaintance off the Monroe Street Bridge.

A Spokane Police Department corporal was patrolling in the area of the Monroe Street Bridge at about 8 p.m. when he saw an obviously distraught man, according to an SPD statement.

The officer stopped and spoke with the man, who told him someone had tried to throw him over the edge of the bridge.

The victim said a man, later identified as suspect Vincent Petrushkin, had approached him and asked for money. When the victim didn’t give Petrushkin what he wanted, the victim told police Petrushkin immediately began trying to throw the victim off the bridge.

Petrushkin hoisted the victim up so his waist was above the railing, police said. Witnesses told police said he was “teetering” over the edge.

The victim managed to pull himself to safety and Petrushkin fled, the statement said.

After hearing the victim’s story, patrol units flooded the area looking for Petrushkin.

A patrol officer on an unrelated call saw Petrushkin at about 9 p.m. and detained him, according to SPD.

Multiple witnesses identified Petrushkin as the man who attempted to throw the victim from the bridge, SPD said. Police said the relationship between Petrushkin and the victim is still being investigated, but it’s believed they are known to each other and may be acquaintances.

Petrushkin pled guilty to charges of residential burglary, harassment and theft in April. He also has pending second-degree burglary charges.

If Petrushkin had been successful, the fall of more than 100 feet from the bridge likely would have killed the victim, police said.

Petrushkin was arrested and booked into Spokane County Jail on charges of attempted second-degree murder.