A violent incident near the University of Washington light rail station in Seattle’s University District left two young men hospitalized, including a 16-year-old boy who suffered stab wounds. The attack occurred around 6:09 p.m. in the 4300 block of Brooklyn Avenue Northeast, just steps from the bustling U District light rail station, a key transit hub for the area.
Seattle police responded swiftly after receiving multiple 911 calls reporting a stabbing in progress. When officers arrived at the scene, they discovered two male victims—one 16 and the other 19 years old—both suffering from multiple stab wounds. Emergency medical personnel transported both individuals to Harborview Medical Center. The 16-year-old was listed in stable condition, while the 19-year-old was critically injured and underwent emergency treatment.
According to witness accounts collected by investigators at the scene, the stabbing followed a heated altercation between the victims and the suspect. The argument reportedly escalated quickly into a physical confrontation, culminating in the suspect attacking both individuals with a knife. After the assault, the suspect fled the scene on a bicycle.
Witnesses described the suspect as a white male, estimated to be in his late 20s to early 30s, with a medium build. At the time of the incident, he was reportedly wearing jeans, a black hat, and was carrying a black bag. Despite an active search by law enforcement in the surrounding area, including nearby businesses and the University of Washington campus, the suspect has not been located. The University of Washington issued a timely alert to students and faculty advising them to steer clear of the area while police activity was ongoing. Authorities later confirmed that there was no immediate danger to the public but continued their search for the suspect.
This incident is the latest in a troubling series of violent crimes that have occurred in Seattle’s University District over the past year. In April 2025, a man was stabbed outside a food bank located near University Heights on Roosevelt Way Northeast. While the victim sustained non-life-threatening injuries, the assailant fled and remains unidentified. In a separate October 2024 case, a man was stabbed in the chest during a dispute over a tent. The victim survived with serious injuries, and police reported having identified a possible suspect, though no arrest was made.
The string of recent assaults, including this latest double stabbing near the UW light rail station, has heightened concerns over public safety in the area. Residents, students, and local officials have expressed growing alarm about the frequency of such incidents. Community leaders are calling for increased police presence and broader initiatives to address the root causes of violence in the neighborhood.
Seattle police are urging anyone with information related to the May 25 stabbing to contact their violent crimes tip line. Investigators are particularly interested in locating surveillance footage from nearby buildings and transit facilities that may have captured the suspect’s movements before or after the attack.
As the investigation continues, city officials and university representatives are expected to meet with community stakeholders to explore strategies for improving safety and reducing crime in the University District—a vital area that serves as both an academic hub and residential community.
