Haven’t posted this one yet as I’ve been trying to find out a little more about the incident. Not my job to draw a line between insane behavior and hate, but the initial report from SPD and the write-ups from the PI and KOMO leave me wanting to know more. In the meantime, here’s the report from SPD:
Malicious Harassment Arrest in East Precinct
On 1/15/09 at approximately 9:45 PM East Precinct Officers responded to a call of a man chasing a woman in the 100 block of Broadway Ave. E. Upon arrival, officers located the suspect, the victim and several witnesses. Investigation revealed that the victim was taking a cigarette break from her job, and had walked outside with her friend. The suspect fixated on the victim and made threatening statements that referenced sexual orientation. The suspect than attempted to assault the victim and threatened to kill her because of her sexual orientation. The victim was able to run away from the suspect and was not injured. The suspect was arrested and booked into KCJ for Investigation of Malicious Harassment.
Here are the write-ups from the other outlets — basically the report above with the addition of what the suspect allegedly yelled at the woman and that the suspect is a chronic offender, arrested several times in the past for bomb threats, animal cruelty and assault.
PI: Man arrested in possible Capitol Hill hate crime
KOMO: Man yells ‘I’ll kill you … lesbian,’ chases woman
You’ll note the incident occurred near Dick’s Drive In. From the suspect’s reported history, wondering if he’s part of the wanderers who hang out there asking for handouts, bumming free burgers and, occasionally, doing something crazy and scaring the shit out of somebody. If he is, doesn’t mean this was not a hate crime. But it does mean the suspect needs more than jail — he probably needs help from a system that doesn’t exist.
This sounds a lot like an Asian guy that a friend of mine and I ran into several months ago on Broadway. He was asking for money and tried to show us something on a piece of paper and we just brushed him off with a “no, sorry.” and he followed after us for several blocks, calling us “faggots” and screaming threats.
This guy got a mention on SLOG a few days prior so I just ignored it, but if he’s actually becoming physically threatening he needs to get locked up ASAP.
http://slog.thestranger.com/2008/01/a_wretched_thing_happene
The loons and gangs are starting to take the neighborhood over. Perhaps it’s time to pre-emptively start kicking the shit out of these bastards until they behave themselves
That sounds like it might be the same guy in another incident I saw on 30 Dec (same day this suspect was reportedly last released from jail). The guy was walking on Broadway and took a swing with his messenger bag at a car crossing Broadway at E Mercer, knocking the side mirror off.
After the driver confronted him and called 911, he said that maybe it wouldn’t have happened if the driver wasn’t such a lesbian. He kept insulting us and glaring while we waited for the police, but otherwise didn’t make any advances (we outnumbered him 4 to one). We stayed and gave witness reports to the police and he was arrested on the spot.
The guy clearly had problems I doubt incarceration will fix.
@ tco: Because kicking the shit out of perceived groups of people-‘loons and ‘gangs’-will assuredly improve relations.
Calling 911 and sticking around for witness reports as Jeff relayed is a great start, but Seattle as a community can do more to advocate for comprehensive and compassionate mental health services and low-income transitional and permanent housing. Housing provides stability and safety for everyone in the community.
I’m not unsympathetic to those getting harassed, I think it’s awful, but I think at some point we have to realize that stopping violent or criminal behavior can’t be done with out looking at the systemic issues behind it.
Yeah, the guys probably an addict and unfortunately, our state just decided to cut ADATSA (The Alcohol and Drug Abuse Treatment and Support Act) has been cut.
i know i messed that comment up
Looks like they caught the bastard: http://seattlepi.nwsource.com/soundoff/comment.asp?articleID. And here’s the interesting part: “The suspect has been arrested several times in the past year, according to jail records, including arrests for making bomb threats, animal cruelty and assault.” Amazing! Arrested several times for bomb threats, animal cruelty and assualt – none of these are minor offenses – and yet he is still strolling the streets of Seattle. Call this absolutely ridiculous and unacceptable is an understatement.