Man charged in Seattle's Hing Hay Park machete attack
SEATTLE - King County prosecutors have charged a 44-year-old man accused of slashing two people with a machete at Seattle's Hing Hay Park on Tuesday.
Oneil George Bygrave was formally charged with first-degree and second-degree assault for the attack that took place on the afternoon of Oct. 6.
What we know:
Seattle police officers responded to reports of an assault in progress at Hing Hay Park in the Chinatown-International District at around 5 p.m. Tuesday.
According to witnesses, a verbal argument broke out between Bygrave and two strangers who told him to leave the park. Investigators said the argument was strictly verbal before Bygrave pulled out a machete and began slashing at the two victims.
One victim suffered a large laceration to his head, while the second victim sustained a large laceration to his upper back and another to his wrist.
Arriving officers spotted Bygrave in the park while he was still holding the machete. Police said he briefly ducked behind some bushes after officers called out to him, then re-emerged without the machete in his hand.
Screenshots of the attack at Hing Hay Park, captured by the Seattle Police Department's Real Time Crime Center. (King County Prosecuting Attorney's Office)
Cameras from the Seattle Police Department's Real Time Crime Center partially captured the attack, beginning with Bygrave chasing one of the victims with the machete.
The second victim tried to stop Bygrave by pushing him, but the 44-year-old continued slashing, even striking one of the victims while they were on the ground.
Another person talked to Bygrave and seemed to stop the attack. Officers later recovered the machete.
Machete recovered by Seattle police after Hing Hay Park attack. (King County Prosecuting Attorney's Office)
When officers placed Bygrave into custody, he stated he did not understand his Miranda rights.
What we don't know:
It's currently unknown if Bygrave will be ordered to undergo a mental competency assessment during his next court appearance.
What's next:
Bygrave is scheduled back in court on Wednesday, Oct. 14, for arraignment. He remains in the King County Jail on $500,000 bail.
MORE NEWS FROM FOX 13 SEATTLE
4 teens arrested in Angle Lake Station car theft sting
Former Chicago Bears head coach, football icon Mike Ditka dies
How to watch Iowa Hawkeyes at UW Huskies on FOX 13
Longtime Seattle restaurant Pam's Caribbean Kitchen closing Nov. 29
Report: Taxes in Seattle have grown 5 times faster than population
Best pumpkin patches near Seattle to visit this fall
To get the best local news, weather and sports in Seattle for free, sign up for the daily FOX Seattle Newsletter.
Download the free FOX LOCAL app for mobile in the Apple App Store or Google Play Store for live Seattle news, top stories, weather updates and more local and national news.
The Source: Information in this story came from the Seattle Police Department, the King County Prosecuting Attorney's Office, court documents filed in King County Superior Court, and FOX 13 Seattle reporting.