WEST SEATTLE CRIME WATCH: Woman attacked south of The Junction

Two neighbors on the south side of The Junction contacted us today to let us know about this report from their neighborhood e-mail list. We are republishing it with permission:

I just wanted to let you guys know about some stuff that happened last night in front of our house between 9-9:15 pm.

A young Asian girl in her twenties was walking back to her car that was parked in front of the house when a man came out of the alley and approached her. He demanded her papers because he believed that she was a “commie.” After she refused, he violently pushed her to the ground. I saw this happen and ran outside to see if she was ok. At that time he said something and walked off and went down the stairs to 41st. I didn’t have a phone on me and didn’t report it but I told her that she needed to report it. I tried to get as much information out of her as possible but she was shaken up and wanted to get home as soon as possible. She regularly parks in the neighbor(hood) since she works in the Junction.

She later contacted me and gave me this description: ‘He was a middle-aged white male with glasses, long wavy black and white hair, wearing a t-shirt and khaki shorts. He didn’t seem taller than 5’9″. Didn’t seem drunk.’

Another neighbor encountered the man shortly thereafter and wrote:

He came down the stairs to 41st Ave SW and turned south. I was checking my mail right after a TV show ended at 9 pm. He approached me saying that he was just attacked by a group of Asians and that I shouldn’t go up the street (towards Safeway). … He was around 55 years old and my height 5’-9” with glasses. I didn’t notice his clothing. He kept saying that the attackers ‘weren’t like him and I’. I assume he was meaning white. He also mentioned something about the attackers not being citizens. It’s my opinion that he has a mental issue. He continued walking south on 41st Ave SW.

38 Replies to "WEST SEATTLE CRIME WATCH: Woman attacked south of The Junction"

  • sam-c August 16, 2017 (3:51 pm)

    If that harassing man is reading this report; your hate is not welcome in WS

  • George T August 16, 2017 (5:08 pm)

    From SPD’s Hate Crimes page (https://www.seattle.gov/police/need-help/hate-crimes-and-bias-crimes):

    – If the incident is happening now, or just happened, call 9-1-1 immediately.
    – If the incident has already occurred, the immediate danger is over and there are no injuries, call (206) 625-5011.

    So sad to hear about such ignorance anywhere, let along in our neighborhood.

  • newnative August 16, 2017 (5:13 pm)

    Why wasn’t 911 called? There needs to be a police report. 

  • Julia August 16, 2017 (5:19 pm)

    I hope this has at least been reported to the non-emergency police line. Needs to be officially recorded.

  • Jim P. August 16, 2017 (5:28 pm)

    The madness spreads and our putative leader struts and grins like a modern day Mussolini (who just wanted to “Make Italy Great Again”).

    Dark days coming as the crazies and the political nuts become emboldened.

    I’m an old white male and I say “Diversity is strength.”

    • Brenda August 16, 2017 (5:47 pm)

      Why does some idiot always have to bring Trump into it???

      • Steve August 16, 2017 (6:14 pm)

        Truth hurts, huh Brenda?

      • Sam August 16, 2017 (6:25 pm)

        Does it really need to be spelled out for you? Mr. Covfefe has publicly incited and encouraged violence. He’s emboldened white nationalists and neo-nazis. He’s given them a safe space to be vocal and to act upon their hate.

      • Sam-c August 16, 2017 (6:34 pm)

        Because a lot of his words and actions seem to condone taking action against “illegals”

        • Admiral mom August 16, 2017 (10:09 pm)

          But her emails…

      • KD August 16, 2017 (9:53 pm)

        @ Brenda.. REALLY?? You need to ask, plus call us ‘idiots?’ Go listen to David Duke and his many ilk, right after the Virginia attacks. Shame.

      • Shocked August 16, 2017 (9:53 pm)

        Because he’s the ringleader of everything alt right Brenda.

      • ScubaFrog August 16, 2017 (10:42 pm)

        Brenda you’ve picked your side.  You stand with racism, bigotry, hatred, Nazis, fascism, and the kkk.

        Now your animals are knocking our kids down, calling them commies, and asking for their papers — because our kids aren’t white, and you’re not intelligent enough to grasp that it’s the orange dog in the Oval Office who’s promoting this violence?

        The war’s at our doorsteps Brenda.

      • mj August 17, 2017 (8:38 am)

        So glad this person was not hurt too badly although what was said to her probably hurts more and is totally unacceptable.  I  would have the same question Brenda, I would not have used the word idiots though, but did you feel the proof that love trumps hate, only applies if you are in lock step with them, which is so sad.  We cannot even talk anymore.  No one supports these things they throw around, “your animals” = a deranged person on the street, unbelievable.  When this happens usually everyone calling for help for the person, now they are “your animals”.  I will remain respectful and hopeful that we can come together.

      • Ws resident August 17, 2017 (11:18 am)

        Are you kidding? Trump’s campaign was based on this prejudice and paranoia rhetoric, which is why people now think it’s okay to bring the ‘commie’ talk out of the woodwork. 

  • psps August 16, 2017 (6:07 pm)

    This is what happens when you have Nazis in the white house.

  • Dereck August 16, 2017 (7:31 pm)

    All I know is when  Obama was in office it was about peace n fittnes.

    TRUMP now said on tv many times during Election if I don’t get to be President thrill be he’ll to pay on the streets. Oh also what is the first lady doing nothing. Once he’s out of office things will calm down thank god

  • WsBoB August 16, 2017 (7:44 pm)

    She needs to call 911 and report this immediately! He will only repeat his offenses and it needs to stop. We cannot tolerate racial crimes of hate. 

  • Elle Nell August 16, 2017 (9:55 pm)

    Holy S#*% Balls!!! This is total lunacy! I had to explain to my son tonight, after he said “those people should be shot!”, after watching the torch whielding marchers. I said No, you don’t shoot this ignorance, you get educated and you share what knowledge you have ..And do NOT be afraid to do so… love is great but this is getting real, real serious. Time to be SMART, real smart

  • ScubaFrog August 16, 2017 (10:38 pm)

    Start carrying firearms.  If these Nazis approach you, and you feel your life is in danger, you can respond in appropriate measure.  I’d highly recommend everyone who’s interested to go to the West Seattle Precinct to fill out the proper paperwork, and take a gun safety class/es.

    We won’t be these trumpanzees’ victims.  These dogs won’t terrorize us.  Know your rights, know the laws, defend yourselves.  

    • Waldo August 16, 2017 (11:03 pm)

      Love your enemies, do good to those who hate you, bless those who curse you, pray for those who mistreat you.

    • Bradley August 17, 2017 (3:05 am)

      Nazis? There are no Nazis in Seattle, especially West Seattle. I’ve lived here 30 years and I’ve never met a white supremacist. You aren’t doing anyone a service by scaring people into arming themselves who otherwise wouldn’t. This man who attacked this young woman is most likely mentally ill and/or on drugs……and probably lives in a tent under a bush or in one of the dangerous, haz-mat RVs the Mayor and City Council have brought into our area. Or maybe he lives with an overwhelmed caretaker. We need to be spreading peace, not fear.

  • Jeannie August 16, 2017 (10:49 pm)

    1. I am not so sure “love trumps hate.” I prefer “action trumps hate.” We have to be tougher on these p.o.s.

    2. This is so true: “If you are not outraged, you are not paying attention.”

    3. tRump’s weasley comments are a disgrace and truly reflect the kind of “man” he is.

    4. Can we please stop using the term “alt-right”?  It ruins cool terms like “alt-folk music” and “alt-country music.” How about “right-wing extremists” or “hate groups” or “racists” or “neo-Nazis.” I wouldn’t even call them “white supremisists,” because the idea that they think they are supreme is a joke. A scary joke. 

  • Jeannie August 16, 2017 (11:07 pm)

    The guy uses the word “commie”? Wow, how nostalgic – I haven’t heard that word for at least 20 years. What is this, the McCarthy era? Not only is he a nasty creep, he’s also stupid – or possibly deranged.

  • Katie August 17, 2017 (7:27 am)

    While I don’t disagree with most of the comments here, this sounds more like a case of mental illness than premeditated hate speech enabled by the current administration.  Either way, should absolutely be reported and addressed.  I am very sorry for this young woman.

  • CanDo August 17, 2017 (8:01 am)

    There is a guy who drives around West Seattle in a white pickup with a big confederate flag painted on his hood with Trump campaign stickers.  He parks occasionally at business locations in the Morgan Junction area, although I haven’t seen him around lately.

  • CanDo August 17, 2017 (8:09 am)

    Oops… my editing of the above statement got cut off.  The white pickup guy doesn’t fit any suspect description at all, but there are a few white supreme types around this area.   Fortunately, they seem to be peaceful and seriously in the minority.  I’m thankful for this diverse and wonderful community that promotes inclusiveness, warmth and peace.

  • heyalki August 17, 2017 (8:35 am)

    I’m beginning to just hate everyone at this point. All inclusive.

  • Rick August 17, 2017 (8:56 am)

    Can somebody here give me at least one “It’s GW’s fault”?  Gosh,I miss the good old days.

  • Brian August 17, 2017 (11:59 am)

    Politics aside, I am deeply bothered by this incident. It is a very serious offense and the perpetrator needs to be found. I’ve reached out to SPD’s Biased Crimes Unit to see if they are aware of the incident.

    This occurred two blocks away from where I live. My spouse and I are ethnic minorities, thus worry for this type of incident lingers in the back of my mind. The vast majority of Seattleites are wonderful, kind people. However, I did experience one incident in Seattle where middle-aged white man confronted my spouse and I for speaking Spanish and exclaimed we weren’t American.  My spouse was frightened, so I put my body between him and the man. A short time later as we walked away, a couple apologized for the “mentally ill man”.

    Biased crimes should not be tolerated or excused, regardless of perceived mental instability.

    • junction_gal August 17, 2017 (3:12 pm)

      Brian, I totally agree with you. I’m sorry you had that encounter and that that couple, only afterward, apologized for the man’s behavior instead of helping you as they saw it happen. We are so quick to blame mental instability because we cannot fathom a “normal” person acting so inappropriately.  Some people are just not nice, plain and simple.

  • Parent August 17, 2017 (12:54 pm)

      

          My husband encountered the man in the white pick up truck with the confederate flag one morning near Department of Licensing office across from Westwood Village.  He was shouting racist remarks to the  customers waiting for the doors to open. 

  • WS_Resident August 17, 2017 (8:41 pm)

    Wow…Brenda is allowed her opinion as well as everyone else on this board. We live in America where I would hope we wouldn’t bully people when they state their opinion. Some people on here are acting like bullies. This is a story about someone getting attacked but the focus seems to have been hijacked for some other cause. There is no dictatorship in opinions. Again, a person was attacked by a potentially mentally ill person. The focus should be on safety and apprehending the culprit.

  • Kh August 17, 2017 (10:11 pm)

    It seems the same guy knocked on our door at 9:30 pm wanting to get in our house because he was being chased by some “alt left” people. He was bleeding a little bit from his arm but my husband didn’t let him in as he seemed pretty unstable. He offered to call the cops and wait for them outside of our house, but the guy wanted to take off via our neighbors backyards which my husband categorically recited. Once husband caked the cops,  the guy took off.  SPD should have a record of the call including name and description. 

    • Det. Wareing August 21, 2017 (5:50 pm)

      This is Det. Beth Wareing from SPD. Can you contact me at 206-684-5621 about this please? Thanks!

  • momof3boys August 18, 2017 (10:31 am)

    The police have been informed, and a report taken.

  • Westy drone August 18, 2017 (7:32 pm)

    This story is so frightening on so many levels. I hope the young woman is going to be all right. I have a child who is a person of color, and this has me worried for their safety in the Junction area. Hard to wrap our brains around this type of behavior, but I guarantee if I saw something of this nature happen, I’d be in the middle of it to prevent this violence. 

  • CantWeAllJustGetAlong August 28, 2017 (4:48 am)

    Tolerance? I see nothing here but finger pointing, profiling, and bullying due to one person (Brenda) that has a different political opinion. This situation has nothing to do with Trump, and the entire conversation revolves around opinions, and hear say. For a city that claims to want to be all inclusive, you all really need to check yourselves! As of this writing , you are no better than those you claim to despise, and are embodying the lynch mob mentality. The divide and conquer tactics are a very real thing these days, and scarily they are working. Practice tolerance for others opinions, Watch out for one another, Go out of your way to help someone that you don’t know. Take care of yourself and find the facts instead of preaching your opinions as facts! Don’t become what you claim to despise! Glad the young woman is unharmed, and hoping that SPD can tie this one up.

Sorry, comment time is over.