Man beaten unconscious, robbed in broad daylight
SEATTLE -- A 25-year-old man was brutally beaten, kicked and robbed in broad daylight by a group of young men, then left for dead.
Investigators said Dawit Alemu had stepped outside his home on Thursday evening when he was attacked in the1900 block of 13th Avenue South in the city's Beacon Hill neighborhood around 6:40 p.m.
When police arrived, the group of men scattered and fled, but officers were able to collar two of the them and place them under arrest. At least two others remain at large.
Police said it appears the victim did not know his attackers. Once Alemu was knocked unconscious, his attackers stole his belongings and fled, police said.
"It appears to be unprovoked," said police spokesman Jeff Kappel. "He was just attacked, and then robbed."
Some witnesses were able to take photos of the suspects with their cell phones, police said.
Witness Joey Yates said he "was shocked" to find Alemu in such a state.
"I used to work in the medical field. I knew it was serious once I saw him," he said.
Alemu never regained consciousness after the attack. He was taken to Harborview Medical Center with life-threatening injuries. He is said to be in serious condition.
The two suspects in custody - Justin Lee Phillips, 20, and Kenneth Anthony Fischer, 19 - were booked into King County Jail for investigation of robbery. The two were due in court on Friday afternoon, but chose not to be present.
Phillips' father, however, was present and asked to address the court. Outside the courtroom, he defended his son.
"I've talked to a couple of other people who actually were there and I think he's innocent," said John Phillips.
Neighbors in the Beacon Hill neighborhood, meanwhile, are anxious for police to nab the remaining suspects on the loose. They said a recent crime wave has been stirring up trouble in the area.
"Just recently it started back up. Just incidents of cars getting broken into, fights. The police have been up here a lot," said resident Linda Chapler.
Investigators said Dawit Alemu had stepped outside his home on Thursday evening when he was attacked in the1900 block of 13th Avenue South in the city's Beacon Hill neighborhood around 6:40 p.m.
When police arrived, the group of men scattered and fled, but officers were able to collar two of the them and place them under arrest. At least two others remain at large.
Police said it appears the victim did not know his attackers. Once Alemu was knocked unconscious, his attackers stole his belongings and fled, police said.
"It appears to be unprovoked," said police spokesman Jeff Kappel. "He was just attacked, and then robbed."
Some witnesses were able to take photos of the suspects with their cell phones, police said.
Witness Joey Yates said he "was shocked" to find Alemu in such a state.
"I used to work in the medical field. I knew it was serious once I saw him," he said.
Alemu never regained consciousness after the attack. He was taken to Harborview Medical Center with life-threatening injuries. He is said to be in serious condition.
The two suspects in custody - Justin Lee Phillips, 20, and Kenneth Anthony Fischer, 19 - were booked into King County Jail for investigation of robbery. The two were due in court on Friday afternoon, but chose not to be present.
Phillips' father, however, was present and asked to address the court. Outside the courtroom, he defended his son.
"I've talked to a couple of other people who actually were there and I think he's innocent," said John Phillips.
Neighbors in the Beacon Hill neighborhood, meanwhile, are anxious for police to nab the remaining suspects on the loose. They said a recent crime wave has been stirring up trouble in the area.
"Just recently it started back up. Just incidents of cars getting broken into, fights. The police have been up here a lot," said resident Linda Chapler.
