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Assault charges in stabbing that injured four outside Capitol Hill bar

SPD says it recovered a small knife from the suspect during a frisk

A First Hill resident has been charged in the stabbing incident outside a Capitol Hill bar early last Friday that sent two people to the hospital and injured two others.

The King County Prosecutor’s office announced Tuesday that Thomas Ellis, 36, has been charged with two counts of second degree assault.

CHS reported here as police and Seattle Fire were called to the Diesel bar on 14th Ave off E Madison to the just after 2 AM fight and stabbing.

Arriving officers found a chaotic scene outside the bar with multiple people suffering from stab wounds in the attack. A fourth victim had left the scene but was located nearby.

According to police, Ellis told officers the stabbings came in self defense after punches were thrown in a fight in front of the bar. But victims described a swift and violent retaliation stemming from an argument that quickly led to Ellis pulling out a knife. One of the victims described being chased down by the assailant in an unprovoked attack that “was in no way self-defense.”

The injuries in the incident were significant. Police say one victim suffered an “approximate 10” wide and 1” deep slash wound across the front of his chest, filleting him open, as well at least one stab/puncture wound on his right side.”

Ellis has not yet entered a plea on the charges and remains jailed on $300,000 bail.

 

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Me, of course
Me, of course
1 year ago

I don’t think most EDC LARPers with these things clipped into their pockets realize how messy knife fights are. A knife is the wrong tool for self-defense; if your attacker has a knife too, you’ll both get cut up, and if they have a gun then you’re SOL. Even if they’re unarmed you’ll never pull your knife in time in a fistfight and if you do manage to get it out, unless you’re really well practiced you’re just as likely to slice yourself open. Best self-defense is eyes to see and legs to run. Leave your knives at home.

d4l3d
d4l3d
1 year ago
Reply to  Me, of course

May be fine within your demographic but does nothing for victims like myself and my neighbor elders and the incredible rise in elder assaults. Eyes and legs are not universal. I tend to weaponize since my young Chicago days.

Me, of course
Me, of course
1 year ago
Reply to  d4l3d

Sorry, are you really suggesting that elderly folks carry pocket knives in case of an assault? So they can engage in messy hand to hand combat? Including those who can’t run or see? D Martin is on the right track with mace, but it sounds like you might be ready to go all the way and say they should all carry guns. How did it go the last time you faced someone down with your knife?

D Martin
D Martin
1 year ago

Does anyone know if this started in the bar? The first thing I was thinking maybe an anti-gay crime, but I haven’t heard anything either way. It’s getting to remind me of the early 90s when I first came out, when I always carried mace with me. Lucky for me I only had to use it once.

CD Resident
CD Resident
1 year ago

Surprised I didn’t see this blamed on Sawant and Hudson somehow