MYNORTHWEST NEWS

‘White Supremacists’ suspected in Lynnwood hate crime attack

Dec 10, 2018, 6:11 AM

National organizations that monitor hate groups say those arrested following a Lynnwood bar brawl this weekend are known “white supremacists.”

A DJ was attacked at the Rec Room Bar. It came as a big surprise to those at the tavern. They say the bar is run as a place that welcomes everyone. They are still reeling from the altercation that unfolded early Saturday morning.

RELATED: Hate crimes dramatically on the rise in Washington
RELATED: White supremacist activity in Tacoma spurs push back
RELATED: Anti-Semitic graffiti on Jewish family’s home in West Seattle

“For something like [that] to have happened was incredibly terrifying,” said Jason Baum, the bar’s general manager, his voice betraying the terror still hanging over him, more than 18 hours later.

He says a group of people he thought were in a social club walked into the Rec Room Bar his family owns just after midnight Saturday morning. But soon after ordering drinks, they began a racial assault on his friend and DJ, an African-American man, he said. So he jumped in to help.

“That’s what a friend does,” Baum said. “A friend’s not going to stand back and watch another friend in need.”

Snohomish County sheriff’s deputies say they got 911 calls that a brawl had broken out in the Rec Room. They arrived as several suspects fled. It took help from Everett and Lynnwood police as well as the Washington State Patrol to bring it under control.

“And determined they had probable cause to arrest a number of people for a number of crimes,” said Snohomish County Lt. Jeff Brand by telephone. He says eight people were arrested.

National organizations that monitor hate groups say at least two of them are known white supremacists: Travis Condor of Philadelphia, Pennsylvania; and Cory Thomas Colwell of Eugene, Oregon.

Baum says he and the DJ fought off 10 people. Now both are nursing concussions.

“Shaky, emotional, hard to focus every once in a while,” said Baum when asked how he is doing.

He says his Filipino-American mother bought this bar four years ago as a place of tolerance. So what happened here is devastating.

“We’re a minority-owned bar that is just trying to pay our bills and support our community,” Baum said, “and do things to give back.”

What happened here was likely out of his control.

The national organizations that monitor these groups say Saturday was the 34th anniversary of the death of Robert Jay Mathews, a martyr in the white supremacist movement.

He was shot to death by federal agents on Whidbey Island on Dec. 8, 1984.

The eight people arrested early Saturday should make a first court appearance Monday.

By Deborah Horne, KIRO 7

MyNorthwest News

Image: The awnings of a store advertise the sale of lottery tickets, including Mega Millions and Po...

Steve Coogan

Lottery jackpots update: Powerball prize jumps again after $1.1B Mega Millions win

A lottery jackpots update: The Powerball prize reached an estimated $935 million ahead of Saturday night's drawing.

9 hours ago

Photo: The Judge Patricia H. Clark Children and Family Justice Center....

James Lynch

King County’s plan to close youth detention center met with fierce backlash

The King County Law and Justice Committee received a final report on Executive Dow Constantine's plan to close a youth detention center.

11 hours ago

Image: A cargo ship is stuck under the part of the structure of the Francis Scott Key Bridge after ...

Associated Press

Authorities identify 2 bodies recovered at site of Baltimore bridge collapse

A major bridge in Baltimore snapped and collapsed after a container ship rammed into it early Tuesday, and several vehicles fell into the river below.

13 hours ago

Photo: Mountaineer Jim Whittaker has died at 95....

Gene Johnson, The Associated Press

Lou Whittaker, among the most famous American mountaineers, has died at age 95

Lou Whittaker, a legendary American mountaineer who helped lead ascents of Mount Everest, K2 and Denali, has died at age 95.

13 hours ago

File photo: Former Sen. Joe Lieberman speaks in Washington on Jan. 18, 2024....

Associated Press

Former Sen. Joe Lieberman, Democrats’ VP pick in 2000, dead at 82

Former U.S. Sen. Joe Lieberman of Connecticut, who nearly won the vice presidency on the Democratic ticket with Al Gore in 2000, has died.

13 hours ago

Image: A Tacoma teen was shot outside her Tacoma Hilltop area apartment over the weekend....

Heather Bosch

Estranged boyfriend suspected in Tacoma teen’s death turns himself in

We're learning more about the man who's accused of fatally shooting a teenager outside her Tacoma Hill Top area apartment over the weekend.

14 hours ago

‘White Supremacists’ suspected in Lynnwood hate crime attack