Information from Des Moines Police Department

On 11/1/22 at about 1510 hrs, officers were dispatched to a fight in progress near 11th AVE S and S 222 ST in Des Moines. Officers were updated by a 911 caller that the victim was working for the King County Water District and was now on the ground, “possibly unconscious.” This 911 caller was a co- worker of the victim who began recording the assault on his phone.

Officers arrived on scene and found the victim sitting on the ground, now conscious, with his eyes and face “extremely swollen” and bloodied shirt. Officers also observed a male matching the suspect description walking away from the victim. After a brief confrontation and struggle with officers, the suspect was taken into custody.

The victim and witness both reported they were working for the water district at the time of the assault and were in the right of way next to the street. The suspect approached the victim and said, “I’m having a bad day” before punching the victim in the face, and continuing the unprovoked assault on the ground. The suspect briefly got off the victim in order to challenge the witness who was recording the incident. The suspect then walked back to the victim who had managed to stand up and again punched him in the face and wrestled him to the ground. Once on the ground, the suspect viciously kicked the 62 year old victim in the face.

The suspect was booked into the King County Jail on a 72-hour hold for investigation of Assault 2nd Degree. Today, we learned the King County Prosecutors Office released the suspect before his initial court hearing. This release was done prior to the prosecutors office having all the facts from detectives regarding the extent of injuries to the victim. The probable cause certification filed by the case detective on 11/2/22 clearly states the victim suffered multiple facial fractures including a broken nose and jaw.

The prosecutors office was also sent a link to the video taken by the witness at the time of the assault. The victim of this assault has authorized us to release the video and photographs to the media.

Chief Ken Thomas of the Des Moines Police Department stated, “This is about community safety. Law Enforcement's job is to keep our community safe, yet this incident is another example this week of the criminal justice system in King County failing us. We are trying to effect positive change in the system. The Des Moines Police Department is part of that system, and we are not perfect, but we will be part of the positive change. I spoke with the King County Prosecutors Office and they assured me prosecutors would rush file charges against the suspect as first priority tomorrow morning.”

A family member has also contacted the Des Moines Police Department expressing concern for community safety since the suspect was released from jail.