Detectives with the King County Sheriff’s Office are currently searching for a suspect involved in the assault of an 80-year-old military veteran during an anti-ICE demonstration in Burien on June 10.

According to reporting from The Highline Journal, the longtime Burien resident attended the protest at SW 148th Street and Ambaum Blvd SW to peacefully express his support for ICE. While he initially engaged in respectful conversations with some participants, tensions eventually escalated. The veteran reports that he was surrounded by demonstrators, shouted at, thrown to the pavement, and punched multiple times. Video footage reviewed by the Journal confirms portions of the confrontation, including the moment the man was forced to the ground.

The King County Sheriff’s Office has released photos of a person of interest described as a white male with short brown hair and facial hair. At the time of the incident, he was wearing khaki shorts or pants, brown/black sneakers, and a purple T-shirt featuring the slogan “Anti‑Fascism — No Kings in America”.

In the wake of the attack, leaders from both Burien and Des Moines issued statements condemning the violence, emphasizing that all residents must be able to exercise their First Amendment rights without fear of physical retaliation.

The veteran described the assault as “cowardly” but maintained that he does not regret attending the event. He told The Highline Journal, “For evil to succeed, all that is necessary is for good men to do nothing”.

The suspect has not yet been identified. Anyone with information regarding this case is urged to contact the King County Sheriff’s Office at 206-296-3311.