The assault happened about half a block from the West Seattle Junction Association, which operates safety teams in The Junction seven days a week.
A brutal, broad daylight assault on a woman in West Seattle has sparked renewed calls for more surveillance and cellphone video, as well as a reward offer, while police search for five suspects.
Four suspects were captured on camera surrounding and attacking the 51-year-old woman. She survived the attack but suffered serious injuries.
“To have somebody assaulted in broad daylight in a parking lot — there are no words for it. It is shocking!” said Chris Mackay, executive director of the West Seattle Junction Association.
The attack happened in The Junction, a West Seattle neighborhood, Thursday. It was 6 p.m., while it was still light out, when the 51-year-old woman was walking to her car in a parking lot surrounded by businesses and high-rise apartments.
“To be honest, it was a complete shock,” Mackay said.
The assault happened about half a block from the West Seattle Junction Association, which operates safety teams in The Junction seven days a week.
“We kind of act like little mini mayors of our neighborhood,” Mackay said. “We take care of clean programs, safety programs, beautification, events, and marketing. Three hundred fifty-three businesses in the area pitch in to allow us to do the work we do.”
Mackay said she saw the video footage on KOMO News and described it as disturbing.
“I saw your video footage that was there. It was horrific. I know others have said this, but it is the absolute truth. This just doesn’t happen in West Seattle,” Mackay said.
She said property crime, break-ins, and theft happen, but assaults like this are far from the norm, and police data supports that.
A quick-thinking tenant heard a woman scream Thursday night in the 4500 block of 42nd Avenue SW and started recording with a cellphone. The video shows four suspects described by police as between 16 and 22 attacking the woman. One suspect stomps, walks away, then comes back and stomps again.
A screenshot from the video recorded by a neighbor. The video captures a brutal attack in West Seattle. (KOMO)Mackay urged anyone with video or information to come forward.
“If they have video of any kind, cellphone footage, it is so important to reach out to SPD, our security team, and let us know what you’ve seen,” she said.
“That is vital for part of this investigation,” said Jim Fuda, executive director of Crime Stoppers of Puget Sound.
“They can break that down. They got good video. Maybe it’s happened before. They’ve done it before. Detectives can put that together from their gait, the clothing they were wearing, the way they run,” Fuda said.
He said the video suggests the attack may have been planned.
“This was obviously preplanned. No plates, stolen car? Maybe. But the shock-and-awe part of it, they’ve obviously done it before,” he said.
A screenshot from the video recorded by a neighbor. The video captures a brutal attack in West Seattle. (KOMO)Fuda said one thing is for certain: Someone out there knows who is responsible.
“It’s wrong, and these kids need to be found,” Mackay said.
The victim suffered a bad gash to the back of her head, a bruise to her forehead and reportedly broken ribs.
If you have any information, contact the Seattle Police Department Violent Crimes Tip Line at 206-233-5000.
Crime Stoppers of Puget Sound is offering up to $1,000 for information that leads to an arrest. Tips can be submitted anonymously by downloading the P3 Tips app or by calling 1-800-222-TIPS (8477).
