SEATTLE — A man suspected of stabbing someone outside a West Seattle grocery store, then leading police on a manhunt, was taken into custody on Monday.
The reported attack happened somewhere near the PCC off California Avenue before 6 p.m., and as of Monday evening, the victim was at Harborview Medical Center in stable condition.
There remained unanswered questions about what could have led to the seemingly random attack outside the grocery store, followed by the search for the suspect who was eventually caught a half mile away with help from neighbors.
Emergency crews wheeled an injured man from the PCC market and took him to the hospital. The 47-year-old told police he was stabbed in the shoulder outside the grocery store, then he ran inside for help after his attacker fled.
A half mile away near 51st Avenue and Pritchard, Ingrid and Michael Papahronis didn’t know what sparked a loud police response, but they peeked in their backyard to find a man hiding.
“We heard a lot of police activity for about a half hour, so we locked our doors, went inside,” Michael Papahronis stated. “Next thing I know, I got these four [police officers] and a K-9 in our backyard, and they chased him to the other street over here.”
Seattle police brought out the K-9 unit to help track the suspect believed to be in his 20s.
People who have lived in the area for decades told KOMO News crews it’s unusual for anything like this to happen in their quiet neighborhood, and that neighbors are always looking out for each other. That was evident by the cheers when police and K-9 Frodo got their suspect into custody.
“Thank you! Bravo, puppy!” neighbors yelled.
There were reports the suspect had a knife and a skateboard, and that he also stole a woman’s phone near the PCC. Police said those items had not been recovered on Monday.
