Detectives are currently investigating a felony assault involving a hatchet that took place Wednesday evening at 3rd Avenue and Pine Street. The victim sustained life-threatening injuries and is being treated at Harborview Medical Center.
At approximately 10:30 pm, West Precinct officers responded to multiple 911 calls of an assault outside the McDonald’s restaurant at that location. According to witnesses, a blue sedan pulled up to the corner and two suspects began arguing with the crowd of people standing in front of the business. One of the suspects was reportedly armed with a hatchet and a baseball bat. At some point during the argument, the suspect struck the adult male victim with the hatchet, causing the injury. The suspects, only described as two black males, then fled the area in the blue sedan. Officers searched the area but did not locate the suspect vehicle. It is unknown if the suspects and victim knew each other at this time.
The victim was transported to Harborview via Seattle Fire Department medics.
Detectives from the Gang Unit responded and are handling the follow-up investigation. This is preliminary information and remains an active and on-going investigation.