Assault on Burien mayor being investigated as a hate crime

Burien Mayor Jimmy Matta was assaulted at a block party over the weekend. The King County Sheriff’s Office is investigating the incident as a hate crime.

Burien Chief Ted Boe said the mayor was put into a headlock at the Burien block party on Saturday night. The suspect told Matta that he wouldn’t let “your people take over” and that “illegals aren’t going to take over our community,” referring to the mayor’s Latino heritage. The man also shouted complaints about Burien being a sanctuary city.

Chief Boe said the mayor lacerated his arm on a fence post during the incident.

“People have the right to express their opinions and their views,” said Chief Boe. “However, they do not have the right to assault or threaten people, nor to damage property during the course of that expression.”

Boe described the suspect as a white male in his 60’s, and being 6 feet tall with a slim build. Police are interviewing witnesses and Mattas said he will press charges when the suspect is apprehended.

Matta said on Monday that this is the third time he’s had an encounter with the suspect. He said he could feel the suspect watching him Saturday night, but felt safe with police nearby.

The mayor said there are bad apples in every community, but the outpouring of support since Saturday has been incredible.

In a Facebook post on Sunday, Matta wrote:

I was physically assaulted, and verbally threatened by a male who was upset because Burien is a Sanctuary City, and I am a latino male Mayor. I will not tolerate being threatened by anyone. You have the right to vote and voice your concerns, however when you put your hands on me. I will press charges on you, and have our legal system take care of you.

We have no room for hate or violence in our community. I don’t care what color or nationality you come from. When your behavior is violent you need to be prosecuted and locked up!!!!!

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