Homeless 27-year-old man assaulted medic in Seattle, prosecutors say

SEATTLE — A 27-year-old Seattle man who lists a homeless shelter as his address was charged in King County Superior Court with third-degree assault.

The incident is alleged to have happened on June 21 around 3 p.m. near 4th Avenue South and South Edgar Martinez Drive.

In a probable cause document, police said they were dispatched to the area after hearing that the suspect, Seth Andrew Moreno, suffered a seizure on board a King County Metro bus.

Medics who arrived on the scene said Moreno fled and was trying to walk into traffic. Medics continued to tell Moreno that they were trying to help him.

Police said one of the medics put his hands up to try to divert Moreno’s movement and said “Don’t go this way.”

“Moreno reacted by suddenly and violently using his right hand to punch (the medic) in the left jaw with a closed fist,” police wrote in a probable cause document.

Officers said the medic’s jaw was visibly swollen and red and said his sunglasses were broken during the assault.

Moreno was transported to the King County Jail, but was declined because he said he had swallowed heroin. Moreno was then taken to Harborview Medical Center. Once he was cleared, he was booked into the King County Jail for investigation of assault.

Moreno’s criminal history includes drug convictions and theft, among others.

Prosecutors said, “It appears that the Defendant has criminal history out of California for petty theft (2012), possession of a controlled substance without a prescription (2013), possession of a controlled substance and use of a controlled substance (2015), use/under influence controlled substance (2017).”

Moreno remains in jail in lieu of $10,000 bail. His arraignment, where he will enter a plea, is expected later this month.

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