Fri., June 7, 12:26 p.m., Second Ave., Benaroya Hall. Officers were contacted by two witnesses in Westlake Park. Both witnesses stated that they had been working security at their building on Third Ave. when they saw the suspect, a transient Black male aged 50, cross the street. They remembered him from prior contacts, and so decided to keep an eye on him. They stated that at one point they saw the suspect with his pants down, holding his penis in his hand. They saw that the man was right by a group of from 15 to 20 kids. The witnesses then followed the suspect on foot while calling 911. They followed him to Westlake Park, where officers took over the incident.
When officers approached the man and asked him about the incident, the suspect stated that his pants had fallen down because they are too big for him and he has no belt. Officers noticed that the suspect appeared to be mentally ill. When asked by officers, he stated he was on medication for mental illness, but could not elaborate what meds they were or for what condition. When asked, the witnesses could not definitively say if the suspect’s intentions were sexual or otherwise. Officers were unable to interview any of the kids that had been outside Benaroya Hall. Suspect was investigated and released from the scene.
Mon., July 9, 9 p.m., Third Ave. Officers were on routine patrol when they were called to investigate a report of a man down on the sidewalk. Seattle Fire Dept. (SFD) also responded to the scene. It was soon apparent that the victim, a transient Hispanic male aged 33, had suffered a serious assault, as he was bleeding from a large and deep wound to the back of his head. He also had a one and a-half inch deep stab wound to his left shoulder. Victim was unconscious and could provide no assistance to the officers. Two witnesses were on the scene, but were extremely vague in their description of the suspect and their recounting of the incident. An ambulance arrived and transported the victim to Harborview Medical Center. Victim was accompanied to the hospital by an officer, but he was unable to gather any further information as the man remained unconscious. Officers were back at the West Precinct when another witness walked in and volunteered to tell officers what had happened. The witness described the suspect, and officers immediately recognized him as someone they had had contact with numerous times before. They were able to show the witness a booking photograph of the suspect, and the witness stated he had no doubt that that was the person he had seen commit the assault and robbery. He then dictated a detailed account of the event. Witness stated he was around 20 to 30 feet north of the victim, who was either passed out or asleep on the sidewalk, leaning up against a lamppost. Witness saw the suspect go directly to the victim and punch him in the head. Suspect hit the unaware victim so hard that his head made a loud pop sound as it hit the sidewalk. Victim was then dragged along the sidewalk and propped against a fence. Suspect then stood over the victim and assaulted him again by violently shaking him. He went through the suspect’s pockets and took unknown items. The witness was watching this occur when the suspect turned and began to advance towards him saying, “Why you looking? You don’t like it?” Witness felt scared and intimidated and immediately left the scene. He proceeded to the Millionair’s Club where he had staff call 911, and then he walked to the West Precinct to report the assault.
Compiled from incident reports of the Seattle Police Department by Emma Quinn. Got your own experience to relate? Call us at (206)441-3247 ext. 207 and we’ll get the scoop.