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Officers Arrest Two Suspects Following Assault in Encampment This Morning

Two male suspects are in custody following an assault that occurred earlier today in the wooded area between Airport Way South and Interstate 5.

At about 9:20 this morning, South Precinct officers responded to the area just east of Airport Way South and South Lucille Street for a reported assault.  According the victim, several people assaulted and threatened him and a female companion in an encampment.  The suspects were reportedly armed with an axe handle and a handgun.

The victim and his companion were able to walk down to the road where they met with officers.  Seattle Fire responded and treated the male victim at the scene for injuries he received during the assault.  The victim and friend were able to provide descriptions of the suspects to officers.

Washington State Patrol assisted on the call and SWAT officers responded as well to assist with searching the wooded area.

Approximately one hour later, officers contacted an adult male near the tents.  He was positively identified as one of the suspects and taken into custody.

About an hour after that, another officer saw a male matching the physical description of one of the suspects standing in the parking lot of a gas station at Beacon Avenue South and South Bayview Street.  The male was detained and a witness positively identified him as the correct suspect.  He was arrested by officers.

A K9 team attempted an evidence track for the reported handgun but did not locate one at that scene.  Officers did locate an axe handle outside one of the tents and collected it for evidence.  There are no outstanding suspects.

Both adult male suspects were later booked into the King County Jail for felony assault and harassment.  Detectives will handle the follow up investigation.