WEST SEATTLE CRIME WATCH: Summer-camp counselor assaulted

Reader report, received today from a staffer at Hazelwood Preschool, which rents space at Fauntleroy Church, next to Fauntleroy Park, and is operating a summer camp program too:

We have to use a small part of a Fauntleroy Park trail to get to our playground. Yesterday – Friday, July 26th, around 2 PM – two of our camp counselors were leading a group of 4-7 year olds up the trail and entered our playground. While the children were getting inside, a man walking his Husky off-leash was coming down the trail toward our group. His dog, though not aggressive, ran toward the children and jumped up on the gate as it was closing, which opened it more and he tried to come inside. One of our summer camp counselors immediately intervened, placing himself between the dog and the children, and called for the owner to get his dog on a leash. Unfortunately, the man became very upset and aggressive, yelled and grabbed our staff member, and pushed him violently against the slide, causing him to hit his head and fall to the ground. The man then quickly left the premises. While none of the children were physically harmed, many of them witnessed the incident and were understandably scared.

The man then walked to the parking lot of Fauntleroy Church, where our security cameras took this picture below.

Unfortunately, his car doesn’t have plates so the police have not yet been able to locate him.

We need help identifying this man. The man was wearing a blue shirt and shorts. White, possibly in his 40s. Tan with short hair. The police gave us an incident #, 24-207530, and if anyone has any information, they want them to call 911.

37 Replies to "WEST SEATTLE CRIME WATCH: Summer-camp counselor assaulted"

  • anonyme July 27, 2024 (2:20 pm)

    This terrible episode makes two separate issues very clear.  First, valid and legal placement of license plates must be enforced as a stand-alone violation.  I see this everywhere now, and I wonder how much it has to do with evading cameras for varied, nefarious purposes.  Second, off-leash owners are jerks.  Every time I’ve ever asked someone to leash their dog I’ve received a response that was either violently angry, profane, or threatening – or all of the above.  I hope this guy is caught and charged with felony assault.

    • CW July 27, 2024 (3:23 pm)

      Couldn’t have said it any better!

    • Runner July 28, 2024 (8:00 am)

      Same, I see it all the time on the beach, especially when the tide is out. Some people clearly feel that none of the laws about dogs apply to them or their pets! Jerks!

  • Just wondering July 27, 2024 (2:23 pm)

    I’m guessing someone who lives local and knows the neighborhood.  Hope the counselor is ok.

  • Matthew July 27, 2024 (2:33 pm)

    The car appears to be a 2005–2007 Honda Odyssey with a moonroof visor installed.

    • Tom July 27, 2024 (6:12 pm)

      Could be wrong but I think it’s a Hyundai. When I blow up the picture, the H is a little wonky.

      • Kayo July 27, 2024 (6:49 pm)

        It is exactly the same car I have down to the color which is a 2006 Honda Odyssey but without the moonroof visor and license plate covers. 

  • Rhonda July 27, 2024 (3:06 pm)

    THIS is why SPD needs to enforce license plates laws. I see no plates and long-expired tabs several times each time I drive across West Seattle. This man should be cobbling together bail money from King County jail, not running around free.

    • Jort July 27, 2024 (10:35 pm)

      SPD is allowed to enforce license plate violations.  They’ve just chosen not toThey can choose to prioritize it, if they wish. But nothing is holding them back from doing so but their own choices. Not Kshama Sawant. Not a bunch of BLM protestors. Just a self-imposed restriction. 

    • Brent July 28, 2024 (9:43 am)

      You think people deserve to go to jail over expired tags? I hope you never make mistakes.

      • Mellow Kitty July 28, 2024 (10:53 am)

        Agreed. A hefty fine and points on their license serms sufficient. It’s certainly not a jail-worthy offense. 

      • NotSoFast July 28, 2024 (11:03 am)

        Terrible take Brent. Way to deflect another poor decision by the SPD and Bruce. My preceptor always told me an ounce of prevention can often prevent a pound of paperwork. Bottom line is we need better city leadership. 

      • Rhonda July 28, 2024 (11:13 am)

        Brent, in jail for ASSAULT AND BATTERY, not missing plates. But he can’t be located due to the missing plates thanks to the lack of plate enforcement. So he’s loose and ready to assault his next victim, isn’t he?

      • Byron James July 28, 2024 (12:33 pm)

        @Brent. Nobody is talking about putting people in jail for expired tabs, except you.

  • Joe July 27, 2024 (3:18 pm)

    I believe he does have license plates. He just has dark tinted covers over them though. More and more people are doing this to conceal their plates from red light and toll cameras. You can usually see the plates just fine if you’re looking straight on, but cameras can’t pick them up from their angles. It doesn’t seem like law enforcement is doing much about this trend. 

    • Jackie July 27, 2024 (4:34 pm)

      Are crime labs able to enhance photos only on TV?  Photo of plates in broad daylight, hoping if it’s possible to do the police would deem it worthwhile to put the work into it.  This could have turned out far worse & I hope the counselor doesn’t have a concussion.  

      • Mellow Kitty July 28, 2024 (10:55 am)

        Yes. It only happens on the small and silver screens. There’s no such thing as zoom and enhance. The more you zoom in, the worse the resolution gets. 

  • Seattlite July 27, 2024 (3:50 pm)

    Another passive/aggressive dog owner who will not obey Seattle’s on-leash law for dogs.  The dog owner seems to be an angry man.  Too bad the dog has that angry guy as his owner.  Walking through Lincoln Park there is not a day that goes by when a dog(s) are off leash.  And, like the other commenter stated, if you politely ask the dog owner to leash their dog according to Seattle’s law, anger is the response.

  • BDR July 27, 2024 (5:16 pm)

    Hopefully someone will be alert are notice the dog and recognize the owner as described in the article. There is not enough detail in this photo to enhance enough to read the front license plate. What a jerk for assaulting someone watching out for the kids and to do that in front of the kids seems like an overreaction. Bet this guy gets angry pretty regularly.  The caregiver and the kids all need to know when the police catch this guy and that behavior is not tolerated.      Keep your eyes open for the dog then look for the mini van and report the plate number so they can catch this bully. Try to get a better photo of him too. 

  • DB40 July 27, 2024 (5:27 pm)

    Oh, boy! Another entitled doggie owner, and a violent one, too. Just remember there are more doggies than children in both Seattle and King County.

  • Gatewood neighbor July 27, 2024 (6:01 pm)

    I believe license plate covers became illegal June 1st 2024 but I could be wrong. Who knows if they’ll enforce it.

  • Darren July 27, 2024 (7:24 pm)

    Makes my blood boil. Off leash dogs have been a problem for as long as I have lived here, about 25 years. I have complained to animal control many times and sent photo and video proof and requested patrols. Animal Control really needs a change in how they do business because off leash just keeps getting worse. I’m going to reach out to Saka’s office to see how animal control can adjust their methods of operation. I am fatigued with reaching out to local government to try to make things better. There just seems to be no political will. I was bitten by a n off leash dog about 15 years ago and that incident is what alerted me to the problem and began my actions to resolve the problem. Thankfully I was able to  take the dog bites instead of my kids.

    • Mel July 27, 2024 (7:33 pm)

      I too was attacked by a large off leash dog at Lincoln Park 20 years ago. As a dog owner, I don’t understand the need for people to have their dogs off leash. My dog is the friendliest dog you’ve ever met and unless he’s in my backyard, he’s not off leash.

    • Elton July 29, 2024 (9:35 am)

      Imagine being so entitled that you believe the minor convenience of keeping your dog off-leash is more important than the health and safety of 4 year-olds. Very much hope he’s found!

      • Antonia K July 29, 2024 (5:30 pm)

        And, to make it worse, the counselor is only 5’2″. And sweet and kind. I know all of this because he is my son. I want to have a discussion with this man’s mother. In front of little children too. I am simultaneously furious and heart broken.  Proud of my son though. 

  • Jessica Beckwith July 27, 2024 (7:38 pm)

    Here is another photo we were able to capture on our security cams. 

    • Suzanne July 28, 2024 (6:00 pm)

      It might help to have WSB publish this photo as a way to spread the word.

  • Jen July 27, 2024 (8:20 pm)

    Dog walkers are pretty habitual in their routines and times. Keep an eye out in the area. He also looks in good shape. Maybe he works out at the Y there, or runs in the neighborhood.

  • Susie July 27, 2024 (8:35 pm)

    If he is so protective of his dog and he lives locally, then he is most likely using a local vet as well.  That would be a good place to start.  

    • Teri July 28, 2024 (12:05 am)

      Great idea regarding contacting Veterinarians. .Perhaps the Preschool can make some handouts/flyers and drop off to Vet offices. May also want to take them to pet supply stores and groomers

    • Mellow Kitty July 28, 2024 (10:58 am)

      I think veterinarians have to follow similar, pet centered, HIPPA rules. I could be wrong though. Anyone know if this is true or false? 

  • Kristen July 28, 2024 (9:12 am)

    Hugs to the camp counselor and thank you for taking that literally hit for the kids safety. That’s the hero we need!

  • Molly July 29, 2024 (4:03 am)

    Really scary. This man crossed the line doesn’t he realize some of the kids in the camp might have a dog allergy or the counselor can’t risk one of the kids getting bitten just never know these days. I know the friendliest husky that did nip at a child out of frustration. And to react physically for the kids to see this behavior is such a shame in the community. Least your dog if they don’t walk right next to you. If a dog is running up to other animals, kids and adults it’s best to leash them. These are little preschoolers dog can easily knock them to the ground. 

  • Susan July 29, 2024 (11:03 am)

    @ Jort:  Don’t blame SPD for not utilizing license plate readers. Yes, readers have been installed in patrol cars, BUT they haven’t yet been activated, pending review/adjustment of the surveillance regs from years ago (remember the uproar when the city started installing cameras on utility poles?)  This is from our precinct community relations officer, German Barreto. 

    • Brian July 29, 2024 (11:25 am)

      Correct me if I’m wrong here but you don’t need fancy technology to see that a car has no license plate. A “license plate reader” is useless here. 

      • waikikigirl July 29, 2024 (5:10 pm)

        I hope the counselor is OK and that someone/neighbor recognizes the turd. And to all the comments about expired tabs/no license plates, just think how many taxes (RTA) ARE NOT being paid by these drivers. 😏

  • Anonymous July 30, 2024 (3:46 pm)

    Check with local veterinarians in West Seattle possibly and nearby cities.  I’m sure this jerk takes his dog to the veterinary.

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