Seattle police arrested a 40-year-old man Tuesday night after investigators said he assaulted two men while shouting homophobic and racial slurs during an alleg
Seattle police arrested a 40-year-old man Tuesday night after investigators said he assaulted two men while shouting homophobic and racial slurs during an alleged hate crime attack in downtown Seattle.
Officers responded around 9:06 p.m. to the area of Eighth Avenue and Stewart Street after 911 dispatchers received a report of an assault.
According to police, a 24-year-old man and a 25-year-old man were walking when the suspect threw a bottle containing an unknown liquid at them.
When the victims turned around, the man allegedly yelled homophobic and racial slurs before physically assaulting them.
The two victims were able to call 911 and restrain the suspect until officers arrived.
Officers interviewed the victims and a witness and canvassed the area for video footage before arresting the suspect on suspicion of committing a hate crime, police said.
The 40-year-old man was booked into the King County Jail.
The case has been assigned to the Seattle Police Department's Bias Crimes Coordinator for further investigation.
Anyone with information, photos or video of the incident is asked to call the Seattle Police Department Violent Crimes Tip Line at (206) 233-5000 or email SPD_hatecrimes@seattle.gov.
Members of the Seattle Police Department’s Safe Place Program work collaboratively with the community to understand the challenges minority communities may face.
The Safe Place program is a partnership between the Police Department and businesses. It gives victims of bias or hate crimes a Safe Place to go after an incident, where the business will shelter them while they call for help.
