SEATTLE — New body cam video shows the moments officers tracked down and arrested a man accused of stabbing several people in the Chinatown International District.
Police believe that over the course of two days, a total of 10 people were injured; one of those people is still in the hospital.
The video released Wednesday by the department was recorded from Sgt. David Sullivan’s body camera. It captures chaos in the CID Friday afternoon. Sullivan tells KING 5 he saw a fight breakout and realized the man they were looking for was right in front of him.
“I’m hearing people tell me, ‘go chase this guy,’ I’m also hearing sirens coming from everywhere," he said.
Officers in Seattle’s West Precinct were put on high alert Thursday after several people are stabbed in the vicinity of 12th and Jackson. Despite a large police response, the attacker got away.
On Friday afternoon the following day, there was another wave of knife attacks are unfolding in the CID. One of those attacks is captured on a traffic camera.
“Fortunately for this kid that was on the ground a couple of EMT officers started showing up and immediately tending to his wounds,” Sullivan said.
Sullivan chases after the person he believes is the suspect.
“He dipped down, for a second out of my sight, stood back up and his hands were raised over his head. His hands were empty I could see that they were empty I thought ‘oh he’s going to give up to me,'" he said. "And then he starts fleeing from me."
Minutes later, a 37-year-old man believed to be behind the series of knife attacks is placed under arrest. All of the victims were taken to Harborview Medical Center and survived.
“It felt good to be part of something that really makes a difference, but I’ve been doing this work off and on since 1988 and I know that this is our job, this is what we’re supposed to do,” Sullivan said.
The surrounding community, including the business owners say they are traumatized by the brazen act of violence. But Sullivan, the police sergeant, said he is hopeful for the future.
“I am optimistic because of how much focus is being given to this area, but we need to find away to do more than just sweep them out of the area,” Sullivan said.
KING 5 is not naming the suspect as he has yet to be formally charged in this incident.
Police suspect he’s behind as many as 10 separate and random stabbings, and more charges are expected to be filed in the coming days