Seattle police detectives have arrested a 17-year-old boy for attacking an 80-year-old man who confronted a group of teens tagging the Ballard Bridge last week.
According to SPD, the incident happened on Nov. 17 after the victim saw four suspects spray painting graffiti on an auto business in the 4900 block of 15th Avenue Northwest. He pulled over, confronted the teens, and began recording video on his phone.
While he filmed, two suspects crossed the street and began tagging the side of the bridge. During the interaction, one of the teens punched the 80-year-old multiple times, injuring his shoulder and cutting his lip. When another bystander intervened, the suspect and an accomplice ran off.
The victim and his family later posted a video of the assault and graffiti online to ask the community for help identifying the suspects. Someone on the Nextdoor app responded with names.
Detectives in SPD’s Criminal Intelligence Unit identified the teen suspects and learned that the 17-year-old who assaulted the victim had previous interactions with law enforcement. Detectives also found that the nearby business had already covered the graffiti, assessing $250 in damage.
Investigators recovered five discarded spray paint cans at the scene and submitted them for fingerprint processing.
On Nov. 20, detectives located the 17-year-old at a high school in Wallingford and arrested him without incident for investigation of property destruction and assault. He was processed at the North Precinct, and police notified his mother.
Staff at the Judge Patricia H. Clark Children and Family Justice Center declined to book the teen, and he was released to his parent.
The City of Seattle has since repaired the Ballard Bridge, estimating graffiti damage at $1,110.
Photo: SPD