On 9/4/11, at approximately 9:20 p.m., officers were dispatched to an assault in progress, at Cal Anderson Park. The complainant explained that the suspect had knocked the victim to the ground and was stomping on his head.
As officers were responding to the scene, the dispatcher broadcast that the suspect was leaving the area on foot and provided a description. Officers contacted the suspect near the north end of the park and detained him. A witness identified the suspect in a show-up and the officers arrested him.
Investigation at the scene revealed that the victim and the suspect were part of a group of apparently transient youth who were congregating in the park. They got into an argument, and the suspect struck the victim, knocking him ground. He then proceeded to kick, punch and stomp him. The beating apparently only stopped because the group heard sirens and advised the suspect to flee.
For his part, the suspect stated that the victim had threatened him during the argument, telling him that he had a knife. Officers did recover a sheathed military bayonet from the victim’s belt, as he was being treated by Seattle Fire personnel. However, witnesses at the scene stated that the victim never threw a punch or acted to defend himself.
At the scene, SFD medics indicated that the victim sustained life-threatening injuries. The victim was transported to Harborview Medical Center (HMC). Once at HMC, the victim’s prognosis improved. He had extensive skull fractures, but he was in stable condition at the time of this report.
The suspect was booked into King County Jail for Investigation of assault.