Seattle PD Attaches Felony Assault Charge To Journalist Attacker

Seattle police detectives have identified the suspect and referred a felony assault charge to the King County Prosecuting Attorney’s Office against the alleged attacker in a brutal assault on an independent journalist covering anti-ICE protests in Seattle.

Cam Higby told The Center Square that Antifa members assaulted him as he attended the June 14 “No Kings Day” protests in Seattle at a Department of Homeland Security building.

“There is probable cause to believe that Assault 2nd Degree (RCW 9A.36.021) occurred,” Sgt. Patrick Michaud of SPD Public Affairs emailed The Center Square. “Detectives referred criminal charges to the King County Prosecuting Attorney’s Office (KCPAO).”

In a Wednesday interview, Higby said he is pleased that SPD is recommending charges against 33-year-old Jeremy Lawson of Monroe, but frustrated that it took so long and that the suspect has not been arrested.

“It has to be the slowest criminal justice system in the country,” he said. “If I [were] in my hometown in New York right now and I went and I walked down the street and punched somebody in the face, I’d be in handcuffs that day and facing charges the next day.”

Higby does not blame the Seattle detective assigned to his case for the delay.

“The detective wants to do something about it. He cares about the case, but the problem is the prosecutor,” he explained. “We have everything from this guy, who has a tattoo on his face. And it’s not sufficient evidence, right? We have the Amazon link to the shoes he was wearing during the attack, and I have linked those shoes back to pictures he has posted on Facebook.”