VIDEO: Police seek suspect in random hammer attack at Seattle light rail station, 2 injured
SEATTLE - Seattle Police released video of a man suspected of randomly attacking two people with a hammer in Beacon Hill, and need help identifying the suspect.
According to authorities, the man attacked them ‘unprovoked’ with a hammer at the Beacon Hill light rail station neighborhood Thursday around 4 p.m. The attack has people in the neighborhood concerned.
"The lack of respect for each other is what is driving us to become an apocalyptic society," said a neighbor who wanted to be identified as Alice.
The Seattle Fire Department confirmed a 63-year-old woman and a 60-year-old man were both attacked and suffered cuts to the head.
Seattle Police say the attack was ‘unprovoked,’ and the suspect ran after attacking the two.
"The woman told me he yelled, ‘I hate you,’ before attacking," said Karla Rodriguez.
Rodriguez lives and works in the area. She told FOX 13 she helped the 63-year-old woman who was attacked.
"She was upset and speaking in slurs because she just got hit in the head with a hammer," said Rodriguez. "She was really, really hit hard in the head. She could barely walk afterward, she told me and was having trouble just talking."
Rodriguez said English was not the woman's first language, and she helped file a police report with police.
According to first responders, both victims were taken to the hospital for treatment and are in stable condition.
RELATED: Man accused of random attack at Seattle light rail station also charged in stabbing that same day
SPD describes the suspect as a Black man in his 30s, standing 6-feet tall, wearing a dress or tunic with part of his chest exposed, a dark blue jacket, sandals, and a winter hat with flaps.
Officials with Sound Transit say they had extra security at the Beacon Hill Station throughout the weekend.
"Any episode like this is terrible to see. It’s terrible to, you know, experience. We’re taking a lot of steps necessary to make sure that these events don’t happen," said John Gallagher with Sound Transit.
Officials with Harborview Medical Center tell FOX 13 News the two victims have been released.
Anyone with any information is asked to call Seattle Police at (206) 625-5011.