A violent rapist—who was being sought by the King County Sheriff’s Office after failing to register as a sex offender upon his release from prison—is in custody after attacking a 60-year-old woman in a hospital bathroom over the weekend. Seattle Police Department detectives are investigating the case.
Around 5 pm on November 9th, the victim was inside a women’s restroom at Harborview Medical Center when she noticed the 38-year-old suspect standing in front of the bathroom door. Without saying a word, the suspect charged the victim, grabbed her by the neck, and slammed her through a door into a bathroom stall, striking her head against a wall. The suspect slammed the woman’s head into a wall and began strangling her before the woman began screaming for help.
As the woman began to lose consciousness, the woman’s male friend, who was using a men’s restroom next door, heard her screams and ran into the women’s bathroom to help the victim.
As the victim’s friend began striking the suspect in attempt to free the victim, the suspect kept one hand wrapped around the woman’s neck as he attempted to fend off her friend.
Eventually, the suspect released the woman and tried to leave the bathroom.
The commotion drew the attention of hospital staff and King County Jail officer, who took the suspect into custody with the help of a Washington State Trooper, who was working off-duty at the hospital. The officers then contacted Seattle police.
SPD officers arrived and arrested the suspect, who appeared intoxicated. The suspect is a transient. It is unclear why he was at Harborview.
The victim was treated for her injuries at Harborview, and the suspect was booked into the King County Jail for investigation of assault.
SPD detectives have referred the case to the King County Prosecuting Attorney’s Office for charges.