Father fends off knife-wielding intruder during home invasion in Seattle
Jan 16, 2026, 5:57 AM | Updated: 3:59 pm
Police tape blocks off a crime scene after multiple Seattle Police Department vehicles arrive at the scene. (Photo courtesy of Seattle Police Department)
(Photo courtesy of Seattle Police Department)
A 61-year-old father used a frying pan to defend both himself and his daughter from a home intruder early Friday morning.
A man was attempting to conduct a residential burglary in the 6100 block of Brooklyn Avenue N.E. At approximately 2:40 a.m. Friday, the Seattle Police Department (SPD) received a report of a break-in and sent multiple officers to the home.
“A father and his teen daughter were inside of their house when an intruder broke in, arming himself with a kitchen knife,” SPD stated in its crime blotter. “The father grabbed a frying pan, defending himself.”
The intruder fought with the father before the police could arrive. The suspect chased the homeowner outside and stabbed him in the leg. They continued to fight in the front yard of the home, where the suspect also suffered serious injuries.
“He was in a life-or-death circumstance, and he ended up surviving,” SPD Detective Eric Munoz said. “Obviously, he sustained a serious injury, but he fought for his life and survived.”
They continued to fight in the front yard of the home, where the suspect also suffered serious injuries. SPD believes the suspect was stabbed as well.
“The intruder was definitely stabbed. He sustained a serious laceration to his leg. The suspect sustained a stab injury to his neck,” Munoz explained.
When police and the Seattle Fire Department arrived, firefighters treated the homeowner for stab wounds. Paramedics took him to the hospital in stable condition
“The 15-year-old daughter, who texted 911 reporting the break-in, was not injured,” SPD stated.
Firefighters who arrived at the scene treated the father’s injuries before paramedics took him to the hospital.
The suspect who broke into the home also received treatment for his injuries. He was transported to Harborview Medical Center in serious condition with life-threatening injuries. The suspect is currently under armed police guard at the hospital.
This is a developing story, check back for updates
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