A 28-year-old Camano Island man apologized to his mother for having to kill her as he allegedly hit her with a flashlight and choked her to the point of unconsciousness, court documents state.

The Island County prosecutor charged the man, Levon Rooney, in Island County Superior Court today with attempted murder in the first degree. His bail was set at $300,000.

Prosecutor Greg Banks isued a press release detailing the bizarre, abrupt attack that appeared to be completely unprovoked.

“We do not have any other information at this time. We do not know what the motive of the alleged crime is, nor do we have any details on Mr. Rooney‚Äôs mental health,” Banks wrote.

The 57-year-old woman reported Dec. 2 that she was lighting a fire in a fireplace at her Camano Island home when Rooney struck her on the back of the neck with a large flashlight, according to a report by Deputy Joe Urich with the Island County Sheriff’s Office.

After telling her he was sorry that he had to kill her, Rooney allegedly choked his mother until she lost consciousness. She woke up feeling disoriented. When Rooney saw her moving again, he told her, “Mom I’m sorry you’ve got to die. I’ve got to kill you,” the report states.

Rooney grabbed his mother and started choking her again, but she was able to “knee him” and escape, the deputy wrote. She ran outside screaming and four neighbor men came to her aid.

Uhrich arrested Rooney at the scene. He allegedly admitted to strangling his mother and said he did it “because (he) wanted to,” Uhrich wrote.

The alleged victim was transported to the hospital and later released.

Rooney’s only criminal history is a 2007 referred prosecution for physical control of a vehicle with under the influence.

If convicted of the charge against him, Rooney could face up to 20 years in prison under the standard sentencing range.