Seattle police detectives are investigating after a bartender was assaulted Monday evening.
According to witnesses, the suspect attacked the bartender with a sharpened broomstick after she asked for proof of vaccination, police said.
Witnesses called 911 at 5:15 p.m. to report the attack on the bartender in the 500 block of King Street, police said on their blotter.
Medics treated the bartender for a laceration to her face, police said.
Police said the suspect was not found after a search of the area. Police believe the suspect may have boarded a light rail train and left the area.
Detectives are asking anyone with information in this case to call the police tip line at 206-233-5000.
In November, an 18-year-old man was charged with second-degree assault for allegedly stabbing a convenience store clerk after the clerk asked him to leave because he wasn’t wearing a mask.
Edil Pineda-Mencia, who told police he was intoxicated, walked into the 76 gas station in the 2100 block of North Northgate Way with another male, according to charging documents. The clerk asked Pineda-Mencia and the other male to leave because they were not wearing COVID-19 face masks, the charges allege.
Video surveillance shows Pineda-Mencia leaving and punching the glass door from outside, according to the charges. The clerk then walks out of the business and stands at the door, arguing with Pineda-Mencia over his behavior, according to documents. Pineda-Mencia then walked toward the clerk holding a knife behind his leg and stabbed the clerk in the abdomen and chest, according to documents.