WEST SEATTLE CRIME WATCH: Racist alley attack

The report and video are from Shikher:

We’ve lived here for three years and love our West Seattle community. I wanted to bring attention to the community regarding a situation yesterday in the alley outside of my home. My wife was waiting with my 8-month old daughter for me to join them before we went out on our daily walk. As my wife was waiting, she was feeding my daughter in our stroller outside our home when she was unassumingly approached aggressively by a woman who hissed and tried to bite her. While my wife was still shocked by what had just happened, the woman said, “go back to your country,” in a racist rant as she quickly fled north up the alley.

I’m just happy that I was close by, and this woman did not continue to harass and attack my wife and infant daughter. Things could have gone much worse, and we are thankful that the woman did not further harm our family.

I was not far behind my wife and noticed something had happened, but by the time I got there, the woman had fled up the alley and began to grab trash bins purposefully and started to push them over, causing garbage to spill into the alley. I can only assume that this attacker suffers from a drug or mental illness; however, that does not give her the right to attack and intimidate others without taking responsibility for her actions.

I did start to yell at the woman a distance after I checked that my wife and daughter were safe after such an unprecedented attack. I immediately called 911 to report the attack, and the woman continued north up the alley until she disappeared towards California Ave.

This was a completely unprovoked act of racism and aggression, which has been reported to the Seattle Police under incident 21-256569. I only hope to gain attention to this verbal and physical attack, so perhaps this person can be found and held accountable for her actions. I shared her likeness and the attached video with the Seattle Police, hoping they could somehow locate her.

I wish that no person in this community has to face what my wife and daughter dealt with yesterday. We are of Indian descent, but It’s just extra disappointing, especially since my wife and I were born and raised in the Seattle area. Seattle, Washington State, the USA is our home, and we don’t know any different. Being told to ‘go back to your country’ is a racist and vile thing to say to anyone, regardless of skin color, religion, or race. Thy physical intimidation and attack were also horrendous, and I’m glad things did not escalate. I’m just sad that my daughter, who isn’t even a year old, had to watch some deranged woman come and intimidate and attack her mother. We love our community and hope that this does not happen to anyone else in the future.

This happened in north Morgan Junction, east of California and north of SW Graham.

68 Replies to "WEST SEATTLE CRIME WATCH: Racist alley attack"

  • StopCuttingDownTrees September 29, 2021 (2:57 pm)

    There is absolutely NO excuse for her behavior and it’s a serious criminal act. I’m glad you filed a police report.

    • Jess September 30, 2021 (8:05 am)

      I think this is this person sitting at the Whole Foods parking lot entrance right now and shouting and each car entering

  • Ken M. September 29, 2021 (2:58 pm)

    I am so sorry your family had to experience this. Please rest assured that you are welcome in our country and in our neighborhood – despite the bad (and illegal, immoral, disgusting) behavior of some people. Thank you for reporting this to the police, and for making your neighbors aware of it. We support you.Ken & Chris, Morgan Junction

    • JusSayin September 29, 2021 (10:11 pm)

      To be clear, this is their neighborhood and their country too.

      • Ken M. September 30, 2021 (4:17 pm)

        Absolutely – indeed.

    • Mo September 30, 2021 (3:23 am)

      I believe they stated that they were born and raised here… no need to “welcome” when they were literally born here. As a POC who was also born here, it’s just weird when folks say “you’re welcome here” as if we weren’t born here. I’m sure you might no ill harm though.

  • JunctionNeighbor September 29, 2021 (3:06 pm)

    Shikher – I am deeply sorry this happened to you and your family.  And so sorry for the terrible feelings this attack must have left behind.  My heart goes out to you and, please know that I live in your neighborhood and I am glad you are here.  Thank you for posting about it – it’s important that we all know, and notice.

  • Michael L September 29, 2021 (3:19 pm)

    Absolutely shameful. I’m so sorry this happened to your wife and I hope this person is caught.

  • ltfd September 29, 2021 (3:23 pm)

    I believe the correct reply would have been, “Get out of our city”.

    • TiredOfTheStupids September 29, 2021 (7:00 pm)

      If someone gets in my face like that in a threatening manner, male or female, I will exercise my right, without hesitation, to self-defense. I encourage others to do the same….without hesitation. It is your legal right to protect yourself from assault or a threat of assault.

  • winniegirl September 29, 2021 (3:24 pm)

    I’m really sorry that this happened to you and your family. Hopefully, she’ll be identified and held accountable.

  • WS Steve September 29, 2021 (3:26 pm)

    I’m really sorry this happened to you. We don’t need people like that woman going around making people feel afraid and unwelcome. She’s the one who doesn’t belong here.

  • Arbor Heights Mom September 29, 2021 (3:26 pm)

    I’m so sorry this happened to your family and so glad you posted it so that the people who undoubtedly know who this woman is report her and West Seattle remains safe for everyone. 

    • Junior September 29, 2021 (9:07 pm)

      I’ve lived in West Seattle more than 17 years and unfortunately racism in the area has increased within the last 5 years. There are some white supremacists known to live around 35th. Not sure where you are located but some are around the Juneau st area. Please take extra precaution especially in an alleyway. My mother has her garage by the alleyway and sadly enough it’s been more than a handful of times being shouted at by different people for her race. Carry mace if you have to at night. Wish it was getting better but unfortunately it’s becoming more of an issue. Wish you the best. 

  • Ryan September 29, 2021 (3:46 pm)

    She’s carrying what looks to be a plastic shopping bag or to-go food bag – maybe one of the businesses in Morgan Junction remembers seeing her? She’s reasonably distinctive.

  • Morgan person September 29, 2021 (3:51 pm)

    This woman has been hanging around the Morgan Junction area for a few days. I’ve had her panhandle me and I’ve seen her acting oddly otherwise.

  • This September 29, 2021 (3:52 pm)

    So sorry this happened to your family.

    There is so much pain, hate, violence, and fear in the world today. But there is also so much joy, love, care, and courage too.  Don’t lose sight. Even in dark times, the heart is there.

  • Michele September 29, 2021 (4:01 pm)

    I’m very sorry this happened to you. I recognize this woman. I believe she is one of our newer members of the homeless population with mental illness. She has been frequenting the establishment where I work. 

    • HS September 29, 2021 (7:34 pm)

      I was hesitant to comment but I believe you’re correct. I frequently use the bus stop across from the fire station, near Whole Foods and this looks like the woman that seems to have joined the now almost 4 men there. I have seen them dealing. Today, it was in the alley behind the gas station.

  • Justadumbguy September 29, 2021 (4:11 pm)

    This is awful. I’m so very sorry your wife had to experience that. I can only imagine how horrible it is to be told ‘go back to your country’ when you’re where you grew up. :( I hope this person is found and held accountable for their actions. 

  • Doug September 29, 2021 (4:18 pm)

    Horrific. Let’s see how brave she is when someone recognizes her and turns her in. 

  • Morgan Junction neighbor September 29, 2021 (4:18 pm)

    I’m so sorry this happened to your family. Hate has no place in West Seattle.

  • Bizzarro! September 29, 2021 (4:21 pm)

    Wow!  That is really bizarre behavior throughout the encounter.  “Go back to your planet!” is the only response I would have had for the aggressor acting like an alien not from the Third Rock from the Sun.

    • Balanced September 29, 2021 (4:47 pm)

      First, I feel very awful for the young family who encountered this.  Very scary to be the target of someone very ill and very aggressive.   I hope they realize that this person is truly not well and that everyone supports and appreciates this family. Regarding a large portion of the comments here.   Most are calling for swift and severe legal consequences.  Though it seems when someone else shares other types of personal encounters with crime, many here quickly assumes the robber, burglar, thief has mental illness and that they need treatment and definitely not prison.  Yet when this happened, near everyone mentioned the immediate demand for harsh legal consequences, and very few brought up the fact that this person is incredibly mentally ill.This person needs immediate psychiatric help and is almost certainly not guilty by means of schizophrenia.  The person sawing off your catalytic converter needs long prison.

  • Terrorized Neighbor September 29, 2021 (4:32 pm)

    I suspect that this may be a woman who assaulted me in the past, and now has an open criminal case against her from the city but I cannot tell from the video. Can someone share her approximate height? Does anyone know her name?

    • CLM September 29, 2021 (7:36 pm)

      My moment with her was short but from memory I’d say 5’2”-5’6”, 120-130 lbs, readhead/strawberry blonde medium length hair & probably under 30yo. 

      • Terrorized neighbor September 30, 2021 (1:22 am)

        Thanks for the response. That doesn’t match the person who attacked me. My hearts goes out to the woman who was the victim. Feeling unsafe in your own neighborhood is terrible.

  • CLM September 29, 2021 (4:40 pm)

    I’m so sorry this happened to your family!  I had a surprise run in with this woman too!  It was yesterday eve, west of California near Juneau.  She was cutting through our townhome complex as I was out grabbing the mail.  She charged me (maskless), barked something about “it not being funny”, slammed a trash can, and proceeded north up the alley.  I was like, what the heck just happened??!!! She looked like she just came out of the neighboring yoga studio, but was so uncomfortably aggressive. I was shaken for sure.

    • This September 29, 2021 (6:38 pm)

      That seems an extremely odd state after yoga.

      As scary as this behavior is, it’s also very sad and concerning that someone is in this state.

      Might she have what is called intermittent explosive disorder? Or schizophrenia? Or a brain tumor? What could be happening with them?

      Hope they connect with some help immediately and are safe, and that others are safe from further experiences like this one.

      Do think it’s possible to feel some compassion for all involved.

  • James September 29, 2021 (4:50 pm)

    Get her out of our neighborhood.

    • Joan September 29, 2021 (5:36 pm)

      No, get her off the streets! Sickening and scary, and I hope she is taken to some treatment center, though I have no idea what services are available and if she can be taken against her will.

  • Lee September 29, 2021 (4:59 pm)

    I’m so sorry this happened to your family. It must have been incredibly frightening with the woman getting so close to your wife and baby!

  • Eric September 29, 2021 (5:02 pm)

    When I use to live in a different part of the country I used to get that all the time. All I can say is we have our fair share of idiots in this country. And now, even more, high on drugs or just plain nuts.  I’m sorry this happened.  Keep your guard up. Be safe.

  • Mj September 29, 2021 (5:53 pm)

    Totally unacceptable behavior

  • people_are_strange September 29, 2021 (6:22 pm)

    Uncalled for. I’m guessing this person abuses drugs and/or has mental problems (or both). Based on some of the posts, if the same person seems like she’ll target anyone for any reason.  We make too many excuses for people’s bad behavior. I am glad your family is ok and hope this woman is caught and you can feel safe again. 

  • Kim September 29, 2021 (6:48 pm)

    This menacing act is completely deranged. I feel so sorry for you and your family. My guess is that she’s attacking everyone in some sort of psychotic break. Just particularly jarring with the baby, the racism, the bizarre attack. She needs help, and she needs to get off the streets. I hope you heal and realize you weren’t targeted; you were just in her way in her route to wherever. 

    • John September 29, 2021 (8:20 pm)

      Deranged? Mental illness? Drugs? Or, maybe she is in full possession of her faculties, and representative of a large & growing segment of the U.S. population. Either way, thank you for watching out for each other, West Seattle. Racists are omnipresent.

    • sw September 29, 2021 (8:47 pm)

      I think this is the correct take. It does not seem like a targeted attack, your wife and child just happened to be there in that moment.  I hope knowing that West Seattle values you and has your back brings you peace. 

  • Zipda September 29, 2021 (7:23 pm)

    Terrible situation. Sad and sorry to hear. Person is very likely homeless and mentally ill. Hope she can find treatment before she does any more harm. 

  • Cathy September 29, 2021 (8:28 pm)

    We stand with you. This is your country. Thank you for standing up against hate. We stand with you.

  • Monica September 29, 2021 (8:52 pm)

    I’m so sorry this happened. :(

    This person came into the back door (non-public) entrance of my business yesterday (located on California and between Raymond and Graham), called our manager the C word, and then in the back of my business ripped open 6-8 large black trash bags and strew the trash all over the back alley.  My employees spent considerable amount of time cleaning up after it. 

  • HeartBeet Cafe September 29, 2021 (9:16 pm)

    Unfortunately this same woman dumped 5 of our garbage bags out all over the alleyway behind our cafe because our manager didn’t have food to give her when she asked. She called him a c***. We hope she gets the help she needs and doesn’t attack anyone else. So sorry this happened to you. 

  • Shikher September 29, 2021 (10:27 pm)

    First off, my wife and I wanted to thank everyone in this West Seattle community. Your support and kind words have been helping us deal with this traumatic experience. It’s definitely encouraging to hear words of acceptance, love, and mutual disdain for this type of behavior. I’m also all ears to those of you who have voiced different opinions and viewpoints that we may not have considered due to the initial shock of the whole situation. I know the video was not very clear, but if anyone has video footage of this woman around West Seattle, please do share it with Seattle Police and reference our case number in your submission. I’ve already read a few comments of folks/businesses who may have seen this woman commit other crimes/disturbances in the area. We have also notified the SPD officer on this case to review the information shared here in the blog’s comments section to assist in locating the woman.Whether this woman needs mental help or legal counsel,  she needs to be found and further evaluated by the authorities. Thank you!

    • jack September 30, 2021 (7:29 am)

      You can bet 99.99% of us here support you.

  • Done September 29, 2021 (11:30 pm)

    I saw this woman today walking south down the alley behind the Senior Center. Stay vigilant and document thus erratic behavior.

  • Ron M September 29, 2021 (11:31 pm)

    I’ve seen her in the alley behind Shell and the clinic off Fauntleroy & Alaska with a few other individuals.I’m sorry this happened, absolutely disgusting. She needs to be taken off the street not only for everyone else’s safety, but her own as well. People won’t tolerate being physically and verbally assaulted by racists. If she does this to the wrong person, she may find herself in a harmful situation.

  • CAM September 30, 2021 (7:10 am)

    A. I’m really sorry that anyone has experienced any violence of any kind or invasion of their property or person. B. Please stop trying to diagnose people with a mental illness in the comment sections. It’s disturbing and signs of a mob mentality. 

    • Done October 1, 2021 (6:49 am)

      Huh? Open your eyes, it doesn’t take much to determine when someone is consistently erratic in their behavior that there is the possibility of mental illness. Give me a break.

      • CAM October 2, 2021 (7:43 pm)

        You’re right. Obviously all those morons who take the time to get formal education to do this exact thing and have to have licenses to do so as well are just wasting their time and money. Anybody out on the street could just do the same thing. 

        • This October 3, 2021 (10:43 am)

          Agree with you that no one should be trying to actually diagnose here, whether a licensed professional or not. But I don’t hear anyone trying to do that, just awareness, concerns, and compassionate considerations being discussed.

          Also, beware the credentials and appeal to accomplishment fallacies! It’s okay for layman to have discussions in layman forums. And also, commenters will bring a variety of perspectives, experience, knowledge, training, passion, etc. to conversations.

          • CAM October 5, 2021 (8:32 am)

            This isn’t an isolated incident. Blog comment sections have turned into opportunities to diagnose by conjecture for several weeks now and it’s increasing. Even on articles in. Which nothing about mental illness is mentioned or apparent. I also think you may have missed the comments here where people are throwing out specific diagnoses and conclusions about what this person is experiencing or not. And “credentials and appeals to accomplishment fallacies” is a ridiculous statement. I don’t pretend to be a carpenter or a professional driver or an accountant or anything else which is a regulated profession that requires training and proof of competence to engage in the activity. Stop bashing education and acting like people’s jobs are simple just because you don’t understand their complexity. 

          • This October 5, 2021 (7:37 pm)

            Speaking for my comments, intention was to bring more awareness and compassion to the conversation, in considering what might be going on with someone, not to actually diagnose. Thanks for sharing your perspective.

  • Max September 30, 2021 (7:40 am)

    “this is our country” comes to mind.  So sorry for your pain.  Lots of angry ignorant people in the world.  Not enough mental health care.

  • JohnW September 30, 2021 (7:53 am)

    Sorry for all of those reporting interactions with this person. But please,  mob mentality is the lock-em-up and throw away the key.  Layman speculation on the mental fitness of an individual clearly acting out repeatedly and irrationally may lead to recognition and more compassionate treatment. 

  • Chris K September 30, 2021 (9:01 am)

    Disgusting.  If I encounter this person, I will do my best to make her feel very unwelcome in our community.

  • soosan September 30, 2021 (10:01 am)

    Shikher — I’m so sorry this happened.I am pretty sure I just saw her while walking north along California in the junction around 9:25 am. She was seated outside Maono and gave me a real “not there” stare as I walked by.I called 911 and gave them a description, location, and the case number. The rain started while I was on the phone. She walked towards me while I was on the phone, then turned south and headed down California across Oregon. White woman, strawberry blond, black vest over white long-sleeved shirt, dark skinny pants, carrying a white plastic bag. The operator said they’d “put in a dispatch.”

    • This September 30, 2021 (10:35 am)

      Please people, regardless of her prior behavior, take the high road and do not add to her apparent suffering and issues with unkind confrontations. Calling the authorities and having them respond and evaluate is one thing, antagonizing someone likely in crisis who we can assume will not respond well, is irresponsible.

      • soosan September 30, 2021 (2:12 pm)

        Assume you meant this for another commenter? I did not antagonize this person in any way. I walked past her and when I was about 100 yards away I made a phone call. If it was indeed the same person, I hope she both gets the help she needs and is held responsible for the assault.

        • This October 1, 2021 (7:58 am)

          My comment was in response to yours and other commenters both describing her whereabouts and appearance, and concern regarding those who may want to act as a vigilantes.

  • shotinthefoot September 30, 2021 (11:16 am)

    I love how everyone is being so sensitive to her mental health…did you ever stop to think it might just be METH? 

    • Ron M September 30, 2021 (11:33 am)

      Probably a mix of both, the people she associates with behind Shell usually smoke meth and sometimes have freakouts in the early morning.

  • Jay September 30, 2021 (12:12 pm)

    This isn’t a mental health issue and she shouldn’t be treated too gently. Mental health problems don’t cause someone to be a horrible person. The two things can exist side by side, by the dismissal of violent, racist behavior as a mental issue is harmful to both the victims of this behavior and people with mental health issues who aren’t bad people. Please just stop this association. What this lady did was assault and will probably escalate to physical violence. She needs to be in jail before someone gets hurt. Stop stigmatizing mental health by using it as an explanation for all the bad things people do.

    • This October 1, 2021 (9:08 am)

      Hearing your discomfort and concerns and want to speak to it. 

      Understand and empathize with the concern here. But, ask yourself this, can you look at this woman’s behavior, and read about other incidents, and seriously think she is mentally healthy?

      Obviously mental illness or unwellness doesn’t always include symptoms of aggressive behavior. No one is saying that all mental unwellness looks like this woman’s behavior or actions, but sometimes it does. Someone who is well, does not behave like this.

      Regarding her being a ‘horrible person,’ have another perspective. Her behavior and actions were horrible.We don’t know what’s going on for her, but it sure looks like some kind of suffering, and indisputably inappropriate behavior. We all have basic goodness and the possibility for wellness.

      Hope she is connected with resources that can help, and that she doesn’t have further outbursts that are directed at and inappropriate towards others.

  • Alex S. September 30, 2021 (1:31 pm)

    Until civil commitment laws are reformed, deranged aggressive people like this will continue to avoid treatment and escalate the harassment.  Racism and nativism aren’t the core problems in cases like this.  It’s mental health and substance abuse.   Thank your local ACLU chapter. 

    • CAM September 30, 2021 (4:37 pm)

      Civil commitment laws in WA are just fine and more than sufficient to get people who need to be hospitalized. The reason people don’t get hospitalized when they need to be is because there are no beds. There are nowhere near enough short term, local, community level mental health treatment beds available for the number of people that need them. Try paying taxes to the amount needed to adequately fund mental health one time in the history of this state or country and maybe you can then have the right to complain about any of this. 

  • Terry September 30, 2021 (1:34 pm)

    This city has no interest in addressing mental illness, homelessness & addiction. Sadly, we can expect more of the same

  • DeeJay September 30, 2021 (4:51 pm)

    its an unfortunate incident, but I don’t see any attack or illegal act.  “hissed and TRIED to bite her” is no crime anywhere.  this appears to be just a mental health issue, that likely would have happened to anyone that was just there.  I suspect, if the police responded, they reached the same conclusion and informed you there is nothing that can be done.

Sorry, comment time is over.