Late Thursday night in downtown Seattle, a man sitting on a sidewalk was stabbed and rushed to Harborview Medical Center, according to police. Officers said his injuries were not life-threatening and that he was alert when they reached him. After a brief chase on foot, police took a suspect into custody nearby.
How the attack unfolded
Seattle police say officers were called around 8:30 p.m. and found the wounded man at the corner of Fifth Avenue and Stewart Street, where medics later transported him to Harborview for treatment. The assault was described as apparently unprovoked, and the victim was able to identify his attacker, according to The Seattle Times.
Suspect chased and detained
Police say the assailant took off east on Olive Way after the stabbing, kicking off a short foot pursuit. Officers caught up with a man at Eighth Avenue and Pike Street and took him into custody. Detectives are still investigating and documenting the scene, according to the Seattle Police Department's blotter post.
Downtown safety in context
This case adds to a string of downtown assaults this year that have sent victims to Harborview and revived debates over police patrols and overall street safety. Local coverage, including reporting on a daylight stabbing near Hoa Mai Park, has tracked other apparently unprovoked attacks that have left businesses and residents on edge.
What police want
Detectives are asking anyone who witnessed the stabbing or who has video from the area to contact the Seattle Police Violent Crimes Tip Line and share any footage that could help the case. Police say tips and videos can be submitted through official SPD channels as the investigation continues, according to the Seattle Police Department's blotter post.
