Victim's family: 'We're strong because my uncle is strong'
SEATTLE -- The owner of a popular Rainier Valley hair salon brutally attacked by a group of teens earlier this month has died.
Family members say Danny Vega died Sunday morning after being in a weeks-long coma at the hospital.
Vega was attacked by three young men as he walked along the 4200 block of S. Othello Street at 7:45 p.m. on Nov. 15. Police said that during the assault, Vega lost consciousness and the attackers were able to steal several items from him. The attackers are still on the loose.
Vega was well known and loved in the local Filipino community, where he owned Danny Vega's Hair Salon on 4001 South Willow Street.
His death wasn't about the beginning of goodbye, but of the promise to never forget, says his niece Melanie Galmiba.
"We're strong because my uncle is strong," she said. "We want to be strong because we want to make him proud."
Vega was a proud and openly gay man -- a hair stylist in the neighborhood for decades.
Galmiba says it made her uncle a target.
"I feel very strongly that it is a hate crime," she said. Police said they are fully investigating the possibility.
Week after week, Filipino groups made public pleas to take back the streets, handing out flyers about the attack and lighting candles in his honor.
It's the sort of love that Vega's sister Thelma Galmiba was proud to see.
"Overwhelming support from his friends, family, the whole community," she said.
The family's hope has now turned to action.
"Now that he's gone, we need to fight hard as a family to find those people," Melanie Galmiba said.
Anyone with information is asked to call the Seattle Police Homicide and Assault Unit at 206-233-5000. Anonymous tips are welcome.
Family members say Danny Vega died Sunday morning after being in a weeks-long coma at the hospital.
Vega was attacked by three young men as he walked along the 4200 block of S. Othello Street at 7:45 p.m. on Nov. 15. Police said that during the assault, Vega lost consciousness and the attackers were able to steal several items from him. The attackers are still on the loose.
Vega was well known and loved in the local Filipino community, where he owned Danny Vega's Hair Salon on 4001 South Willow Street.
His death wasn't about the beginning of goodbye, but of the promise to never forget, says his niece Melanie Galmiba.
"We're strong because my uncle is strong," she said. "We want to be strong because we want to make him proud."
Vega was a proud and openly gay man -- a hair stylist in the neighborhood for decades.
Galmiba says it made her uncle a target.
"I feel very strongly that it is a hate crime," she said. Police said they are fully investigating the possibility.
Week after week, Filipino groups made public pleas to take back the streets, handing out flyers about the attack and lighting candles in his honor.
It's the sort of love that Vega's sister Thelma Galmiba was proud to see.
"Overwhelming support from his friends, family, the whole community," she said.
The family's hope has now turned to action.
"Now that he's gone, we need to fight hard as a family to find those people," Melanie Galmiba said.
Anyone with information is asked to call the Seattle Police Homicide and Assault Unit at 206-233-5000. Anonymous tips are welcome.
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