Road rage incident ends in hate crime in Bellevue, police say
Apr 30, 2025, 11:22 AM | Updated: 4:35 pm
(Photo courtesy of KIRO 7)
(Photo courtesy of KIRO 7)
A road rage incident escalated into a hate crime Monday when a man allegedly used racial slurs and pointed a gun at a woman and two teenage boys, according to the Bellevue Police Department (BPD).
BPD arrested 52-year-old Kelly Bailey after receiving multiple reports of a disturbance that occurred at approximately 10 a.m. in the 3700 block of Factoria Boulevard Southeast.
Authorities said a 35-year-old woman, her teenage son, and one of her son’s friends hid inside a business while the suspect stood outside with a firearm. Officers detained Bailey, interviewed the victims and witnesses, and reviewed surveillance footage.
According to a police news release, the incident began with a near-miss crash at the intersection of Factoria Boulevard S.E. and S.E. 38th Street. Bailey allegedly followed the victims to a nearby gas station, shouted racial slurs, brandished his firearm, and made threats to kill them, police said.
The woman and the boys ran into the gas station, where one of the boys called 911.
Bailey was arrested and booked into King County Jail on charges of harassment with threats to kill and a hate crime offense, police confirmed.
