Seattle police arrested a 44-year-old convicted felon Monday evening after he allegedly stabbed a man multiple times in an unprovoked attack in the Chinatown-International District.
Officers responded around 5:30 p.m. to reports of a stabbing near 12th Avenue South and South King Street, where they discovered a 40-year-old victim with serious abdominal wounds. Seattle Fire Department medics treated the injured man before transporting him to Harborview Medical Center.
Investigators determined the suspect approached the victim from behind and stabbed him in the abdomen without apparent provocation. The victim attempted to pursue his attacker but could not keep pace as the suspect fled on a bicycle.
Police located the suspect near Rainier Avenue South and South Bayview Street, where he attempted to evade capture by weaving through traffic and a Lowe’s parking lot. Officers arrested him without additional incident and recovered a knife from his waistband.
The suspect was booked into King County Jail on felony assault charges. His previous criminal record adds potential sentencing enhancements should prosecutors file formal charges.
Real Time Crime Center cameras captured footage of the attack, providing crucial evidence for detectives in the Homicide and Assault Unit who are investigating the incident. The surveillance video will likely be central to prosecution efforts.
The stabbing occurred at a busy intersection in the heart of Seattle’s Chinatown-International District, an area that has experienced various public safety challenges in recent years. The location’s proximity to multiple transit routes and commercial establishments means such violent incidents affect numerous community members and visitors.
The victim’s current condition has not been disclosed by medical officials, though the classification as serious stab wounds suggests significant injuries requiring ongoing treatment.
This incident adds to concerns about random violence in Seattle’s urban core, where unprovoked attacks on pedestrians create anxiety among residents and workers who rely on public spaces for daily activities.
The quick arrest demonstrates effective coordination between patrol officers and surveillance technology, enabling law enforcement to apprehend suspects before they can flee the immediate area or potentially harm additional victims.
