CRIME WATCH FOLLOWUP: Hate-crime charge filed in West Seattle incident

Last week in West Seattle Crime Watch, we published a short SPD “Significant Incident Report” summary about an alleged hate-crime incident that ultimately involved SWAT officers. Today, the King County Prosecuting Attorney’s Office announced that a felony charge is filed against the suspect in the case, 34-year-old Keeley A. Brown. Both Brown and the victim are described in court documents as residents of the microhousing building where it happened, near 35th/Avalon, the night of December 1st. The victim said Brown confronted her while she was cleaning up items in a common area and called her a “terrorist” as well as a racial slur, telling her “go back to your country” and adding that people like the victim are why gun rights are needed. Brown then allegedly hit the victim in the head with a crock-pot lid. Another resident told police that Brown had long been harassing other residents, sometimes with racial slurs, but that they believed nothing could be done because of the current eviction moratorium. Brown went into her apartment before police arrived and would not come out; a two-hour standoff ensued, ending with SWAT officers entering Brown’s apartment to arrest her. Court documents say Brown, released from jail the next day on personal recognizance, has no criminal record. She is charged with one count of what is now statutorily described as a “hate-crime offense.”

SIDE NOTE: This is another category of crime that’s been on the rise this year. The day before this incident, the KCPAO held a media briefing about hate crime, saying they had already filed charges in 51 cases this year, compared to 38 last year and 30 in 2018.

20 Replies to "CRIME WATCH FOLLOWUP: Hate-crime charge filed in West Seattle incident"

  • Kay December 9, 2020 (3:07 pm)

    What am I missing? She assaulted someone and was let out of jail the next day? 

    • Yup December 9, 2020 (4:40 pm)

      Kay, With Pete Holmes,  it happens more than most people know.He needs to go. 

      • WSB December 9, 2020 (5:18 pm)

        Pete Holmes had nothing to do with this case. It is a felony, being prosecuted by the County Prosecuting Attorney’s Office, not the City Attorney. Also, bail is set by a judge, not the prosecutor (though they can make recommendations).

        • Brian December 9, 2020 (8:17 pm)

          But why let all of those pesky little facts get in the way of a snarky comment about an unrelated elected official?

    • Joan December 9, 2020 (5:05 pm)

      I agree!! She is a menace to the complex and community. Those poor neighbors who must deal with her. She should not be allowed to live there, but then what? Where does she go from there? How do we deal with people like that? She is not only bigoted, but dangerous. There is a difference.

  • Andrew December 9, 2020 (3:37 pm)

    Wow. Just wow.  This is why we have to take micro aggression seriously, because they can lead to this. This is also why we have to check our self before we wreck ourselves. 

  • AMD December 9, 2020 (3:50 pm)

    From everything I’ve heard/read, the eviction moratorium only applies to evictions for non-payment.  Evictions for cause (harassment, destruction of property, etc.) are still allowed.  I don’t think the messaging on that distinction has been great (in fairness, there are probably landlords who would just claim other offenses to get tenants out), but I hope building managers do realize they have recourse to deal with individuals like this.  Hopefully the victim is okay and they’re able to rid themselves of the problem tenant.

    • WSB December 9, 2020 (3:55 pm)

      Yes but (and this is a whole ‘nother followup) it’s being applied more widely .. the Delridge nuisance house where a person was shot last month (likely publishing that tomorrow) owner has been trying to get an eviction order and has been twice denied, even after presenting police reports from multiple incidents to the judge. I don’t know in this case if there had been any attempts to evict but in the Delridge house case, there’s an official legal trail – TR

      • Concerned December 10, 2020 (10:24 am)

        I live on the nuisance house street and am so curious for updates!! It looked like the stray garbage was starting to get cleaned up. It wasn’t removed, but it was looking more like organized chaos instead of just chaos! But it’s building back up. I frequently see rats running around when I’m walking my dogs past the property. Interesting to hear that even with the shooting, the judge still denied the eviction order. 

        • WSB December 10, 2020 (10:46 am)

          Stand by, on my docket for later today. Supposedly the public health department has an abatement action in progress re: the rats…

  • Henrydpainter December 9, 2020 (4:03 pm)

    I run   Into   A  person  like that in West Seattle  I was heading  to paint  this  interior house  but the owner  told  my old boss  he  didn’t want  any mexicans   Working  at his  house ,   So  my  boss  had  to  get  my other co-worker  whom was white ,     It’s Very  sad   ,This  people  have  so much  hate in them  ,  but     Not  everyone is like  that  thankfully   ,  That’s  why  left  that  painting company  and  started  my  own.  . 

    • flimflam December 9, 2020 (4:12 pm)

      sorry to hear that – luckily, as you said, not everyone is like that. they do stick out in our memories unfortunately. good luck with your business!

  • flimflam December 9, 2020 (4:14 pm)

    i know some people must like it but i can’t imagine living in such close proximity to so many other people and share common areas, etc…it doesn’t seem sanitary or good for one’s mental health.

    • OneTimeCharley December 9, 2020 (6:27 pm)

      I agree FF. Microhousing is a modern version of the classic fleabag hotel. I guess the idea is that it’s for sleeping only. All other of life’s activities are to take place outside the individual’s personal living space; shopping, eating out, socializing until time for sleep, then go home. The problem is that this isn’t realistic over the long term, and the buildings will inevitably devolve into a rundown tenement building filled with folks unable to get a leg up. Sometimes the cheapest rent really ends up costing the most.

  • DS December 9, 2020 (9:35 pm)

    I wonder if the victim can apply for a restraining order. 

    • CAM December 10, 2020 (1:46 am)

      A condition of bail/release would have been a temporary restraining order until the charges are resolved. As to the comment below regarding a TRO assisting with eviction, that may or may not be true. In circumstances where people must be in close proximity for some reason (child exchange, work, neighbors, school, etc.) there are typically carve outs in the TRO language to ensure that the restricted party doesn’t violate the order just by nature of their current circumstances. That doesn’t apply to roommate or domestic living arrangements where people share the same living space but it is unlikely that a TRO would make it necessary for someone to move out of an apartment they lived in alone. 

  • Mkl December 9, 2020 (10:16 pm)

    They can and should apply for a restraining order.  I’m not a lawyer but in most locations that’s one of the fastest ways to support a landlord in evicting the problem tenant. Any other residents who have documentation of threats can apply as well. And yes, the eviction moratorium only applies to non-payment so people in domestic violence or similar situations shouldn’t hesitate to seek help. The Seattle Tenants Union can provide free advice and guidance. 

  • Mj December 10, 2020 (6:11 pm)

    Victims are victimized twice once by the perp and then again by a system that fails to punish the perp!

  • SEANOH8 December 10, 2020 (8:43 pm)

    How does one find a photograph of this criminal from the arrest? It would be good to include one to be mindful if ever running across this violent individual. 

    • WSB December 10, 2020 (10:08 pm)

      Photos of arrested people are not available unless they have spent time in state prison.

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