SEATTLE — Seattle Police are investigating after a family was assaulted on a walk in Seattle’s Wedgwood neighborhood Sunday evening.
Those who live nearby and witnessed the attack are shocked it would happen on their typical quiet street.
“That poor family, their whole Sunday changed for the worst,” said Scott Waterman, who lives near where the attack happened.
Waterman said just minutes prior to the family being assault the suspect came to his front door aggressively yelling. He said he feared for his safety and was thankful his children weren’t home.
“I heard the yelling, screaming and chaos and immediately called 911,” Waterman said.
Neighbors said a son was walking with his parents shortly before 6:30 p.m. Sunday evening.
Seattle police said one of the victims, a 26-year-old man, told officers a man that he didn’t know approached them and started to strangle him, making it hard to breathe.
His 70-year-old father then intervened. He was hit by the suspect multiple times and had to be taken to the hospital.
“The dad was laying on the ground and luckily the neighbors brought out a pillow and laid him on it and he was bloody like teeth, nose. The son was saying, 'Dad, hang in there, hang in there,'” Waterman recalled.
The suspect ran off and police had K9’s search the area but he hasn’t been found.
“They wouldn't hurt a fly. It was brutal and bad and they wouldn't hurt anyone in my opinion,” Waterman said.
Jason Smith, who lives nearby, said police came to his home asking for surveillance footage and had a photo he handed over to police.
Smith said crime is becoming a growing concern in the area.
“It was always called walkable Wedgwood. I used to leave my front door unlocked when I left and went for long walks and now your locking your door and getting a security camera on your house to watch your cars and front yard,” Smith said.
As of right now, no arrests have been made.