information from Seattle Police Blotter

UPDATE: Detectives now have an image of a person of interest from the incident that occurred at the restaurant at 20th Avenue NW and NW Market Street. This image depicts the person who was making racist remarks toward employees. Anyone with information on this individual is asked to contact the tip line at (206) 233-5000.

The Seattle Police Department is investigating at least three separate Anti-Asian Bias incidents that were reported yesterday in Ballard. 

On Saturday, May 23rd, at approximately 6:30 PM North Precinct officers responded to Golden Gardens Park for a report of a male in the park yelling at Asian park guests and chasing a female driver as she was trying to leave. 

The victim was driving out of the parking lot and was stopped for traffic. The suspect approached the victim’s driver’s side window on foot, knocked on her window and asked, “Where are you from…where is your ID?” The suspect began taking photos of her car and said, “Chinese disease…they bring it here!”  

The victim believed she was being targeted for her ethnicity and drove away. The suspect attempted to chase her car.  The victim called 911 when she was at a safe location.  

Officers were dispatched to another bias incident that was reported hours later but believed to have involved the same suspect in Golden Gardens. 

Officers contacted a male and female who stated that they were at Golden Gardens Park and walking to their car around 6:45 PM when the suspect ran up to them in an aggressive manner, yelling.  The suspect came within a few inches of the male victim’s face.  

The suspect spit into the male victim’s face, striking his cheek. The suspect continued to yell at the victim, “Where are you from?” 

The couple got into their car while the suspect continued to yell at them.  The couple was able to leave the area and call police later. 

The victims stated that they believe they were targeted because of their race. 

Later, at approximately 8:30 PM, officers responded to yet another bias incident, this time in the 2000 block of NW Market Street. 

Officer responded to a restaurant where employees reported that three hours prior, a man yelled racially biased remarks based on Asian heritage.  The man then went into the restaurant and kicked a sign. 

Officers contacted the victim who stated that at about 5:30PM a suspect approached their business and started knocking on the windows.   

The suspect kicked over a stand located inside of the store, and  threatened to throw a table at the victim. The suspect then picked up the wooden door stop and threw it. 

The victim said that the same male came to the restaurant the day prior around the same time. During that incident the suspect yelled and caused a disturbance on the street.  

The suspect description in all of these crimes is very similar.  The suspect is described as a white male, in his thirties, approximately 5’10 tall, muscular build, with dark hair.   

SPD’s Bias Crimes Unit is actively investigating these cases and is coordinating with patrol officers and other department resources. The Department is asking anyone who has additional information to call the SPD tip line at 206-233-5000. 

The Seattle Police Department is committed to documenting and investigating all bias incidents and crimes.  The Department encourages anyone who feels they have been victimized to call 911.