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Yahoo
14-04-2025
- Yahoo
Hate crimes about to eclipse 2024 numbers in King County
This story was originally posted on King County is just two hate crime cases away from beating its total number last year in 2025, and it is only April, the King County Prosecuting Attorney's Office confirmed Monday. 'I think people are just acting more hateful, particularly with hate crimes that focus on somebody's gender expression perceived sexual orientation,' Casey McNerthney, spokesperson for the King County Prosecuting Attorney's Office, told KIRO Newsradio. The latest alleged hate crime attack happened against a transgender person in King County March 27 in Seattle's University District. According to obtained court documents, the victim was leaving work at a hardware store along University Way when a group of men called her 'a drag queen' and told her to 'take your f****** makeup off.' The victim responded by saying, 'Excuse me, what did you say?' according to the Seattle Police Department (SPD). She then took out her cell phone to take photos of the suspects. Prosecutors said the suspects then began to punch and kick the victim. Eventually, the victim escaped the alleged attack and ran inside a restaurant across the street. During the attack, according to court documents, the suspects called the victim homophobic slurs and continually misgendered the victim by saying 'get him' and calling the victim 'bro.' Prosecutors also said the suspects yelled 'Semper Fi' multiple times, referring to the U.S. Marine Corps motto. The victim told the suspects that she was a decorated Navy veteran. However, prosecutors said at least one suspect responded, saying, 'Trump got rid of your a** anyways and kicked you all out of the military,' referring to President Trump's order to end transgender acceptance in the military. The attack left the victim bruised and bleeding and with multiple broken front teeth. Why are hate crimes rising locally? McNerthney couldn't pinpoint one cause of the county's apparent rise in hate crimes. 'I don't know if they see things on a national level and think they can get away with,' McNerthney said. 'Either way, when we get those cases, we're going to keep bringing them to court.' Police said surveillance video from a nearby business captured the suspects' vehicle license plate. According to investigators, a responding officer recognized the plate from a domestic violence report she took one day earlier that involved Andre Karlow, 39. Police said Karlow assaulted his girlfriend inside a Seattle apartment they shared. He allegedly used a hammer to smash a hole in a dining room table before throwing a can of food at his girlfriend, hitting her in the ribcage. Police also shared that he also stole his girlfriend's laptop computer. Police said they tracked Karlow to the parking lot of that apartment, but when the suspect saw officers approach, he ran inside his unit. Officers surrounded the apartment and, according to court documents, police obtained a search warrant five hours later. A SWAT team entered the apartment and arrested Karlow who, officers said, attempted to hide in the insulation of the apartment's attic. Prosecutors said Karlow has an extensive criminal record that includes 36 arrests in Washington and 13 felony convictions that include escape, assault, disarming a law enforcement officer, various drug-related charges, and more. Prosecutors said Karlow also faces another hate crime committed in September 2024. Court documents also stated he allegedly called a Sound Transit fare ambassador, who identified as transgender, a homophobic slur and told them to 'put some bass in their voice' before, police said, he punched that victim in the face. Karlow remains in King County Jail on a $200,000 bail.
Yahoo
29-03-2025
- Yahoo
Police arrest suspect in hate crime against transgender victim in Seattle
The Brief Police arrested a suspect believed to have been involved in a violent hate crime against a transgender woman. The incident happened in Seattle's University District Thursday evening. Police are searching for more suspects. SEATTLE - Police arrested a 39-year-old man believed to be involved in a violent hate crime against a transgender woman in Seattle's University District Thursday evening. What we know According to the Seattle Police Department (SPD), around 6 p.m., the victim called 911 and reported being physically attacked by a group of men on the street, who also used slurs against them. The victim managed to escape and sought help and shelter at a nearby business. Officers responded to the scene near the intersection of University Way Northeast and Northeast 47th Street after the suspects fled. They met the victim, who had suffered significant injuries to their face and torso during the attack. Seattle Fire crews also responded to assess the victim's injuries. After speaking with the victim and several witnesses who remained at the scene, officers established probable cause for a hate crime. What they're saying According to first appearance court documents, the transgender woman was attacked shortly after leaving work at a nearby business. As the victim was walking past a group of men, someone in the group called them a "drag queen" and said "take your makeup off." The victim then asked what they said and pulled out a phone to take a photo of them. Before they got a photo, the group began assaulting the victim, punching them in the face before bringing them to the ground to repeatedly kick them. According to court documents, the victim described the four suspects as being young college-aged men, possibly Hispanic. The suspects also repeated "Semper Fi", the United States Marine Corps motto. When the victim told the group they were a veteran, one of the suspects referenced President Donald Trump ending transgender acceptance in the U.S. military. Documents say the victim managed to get a photo of the back of one suspect and the suspect's vehicle as it was leaving the area. The SPD said detectives connected the vehicle to an individual involved in another recent hate crime incident. The 39-year-old man also matched the physical description of one of the attackers. The car and suspect were located, and officers arrested him. In court on Friday, the defendant's defense attorney said his client has no affiliation with the U.S. Marine Corps. What's next The suspect is now facing charges of a hate crime and second-degree assault. He is being held in the King County Jail on a $200,000 bond. Officers from the North Precinct initiated a department-wide response, mobilizing various resources to assist the victim. Mike McDaniel says he was crushed to learn about the attack, as the victim is a close friend and co-worker. "Good friend as well as a model employee," McDaniel said. "Navy veteran, this individual has a heart of gold, give you the shirt off their back." According to police, the victim sustained a "bruised and swollen eye, broken teeth, scrapes to the hands and pain in the abdomen." "It's a shame, it's an unfortunate thing that this happened to such a wonderful quality human being," McDaniel said. "These people just kind of showed up, they aren't any of our regular folks that we see up and down the Avenue." The suspect is also being investigated for a report of domestic violence involving his girlfdriend the day before the attack. McDaniel says he will be in court. "The judge needs to hear from the community on this because people like this can't be slapped on the wrist and released into the public once again," McDaniel said. The case is now being investigated by the SPD Bias Crimes Detective Unit, which remains ongoing. What you can do Other suspects remain at large. The SPD is asking anyone with information, photos, or video of the incident to contact the department immediately at 206-233-5000 or email SPD_hatecrime@ This is a developing story. Check back for updates. The Source Information for this story came from a press release by the Seattle Police Department. Deputies shoot suspect in Spanaway, WA 'Happy Face' serial killer nearly confessed brutal murders to WA teen daughter Police investigate DV shooting at Redmond, WA, apartment complex Two teens arrested after shooting at father, son near Kitsap Mall in WA Bobcat or cougar? Magnolia residents report close call with wild cat To get the best local news, weather and sports in Seattle for free, sign up for the daily FOX Seattle Newsletter. Download the free FOX LOCAL app for mobile in the Apple App Store or Google Play Store for live Seattle news, top stories, weather updates and more local and national coverage, plus 24/7 streaming coverage from across the nation.
