Seattle police are investigating after the report of a hate crime outside of an LGBTQ bar in Capitol Hill on Feb. 19.
Witnesses told officers there was a vehicle circling the bar in the 1200 block of East Madison Street beginning at 11:30 p.m. People inside the car were yelling anti-gay slurs at the patrons outside. The passengers of the car approached the bar on foot before returning to their vehicle to circle the block again. One of the witnesses estimated the car returned about 10 times over the course of about an hour.
The people inside the car continued to yell anti-gay slurs and at certain points, a passenger was seen hanging out of the vehicle window and shooting what were described as “pellets” or water beads at bar patrons. One of the bar patrons reported being struck in the arm by one of the “pellets” shortly before 1 a.m.
Witnesses reported the vehicle involved was a distinctively modified dark blue Lexus sedan and the suspects appeared to be two or three young white men.
Following the incident, officers were sent to other LGBTQ establishments in the area to alert them about what happened.
A witness reported there were at least a dozen people outside the bar when this incident occurred. Police are asking any additional victims and witnesses to please come forward. This case is an open and active investigation and has been assigned to SPD’s Bias Crimes Coordinator.
Anyone with information about this incident, including photos and video, is asked to call the SPD Tip Line at (206) 233-5000 or email SPD_hatecrimes@seattle.gov.
Incident Number: 2025-045887
Learn more about the Seattle Police Department Safe Place Program. SPD Safe Place is a law enforcement sponsored and overseen initiative that was born out of a need to address low reporting of anti-LGBTQ+ crimes and school bullying incidents by increasing public trust in law enforcement and feelings of safety in the community.