Rantz: 22-year-old still spitting up blood after brutal Seattle attack

A 22-year-old freelance photographer visiting Seattle was brutally beaten unconscious and robbed in the Mount Baker neighborhood. Days later, he’s still reeling in pain and suffering financially.

The victim identified himself online under the name Caliber Visuals. He says he was already having a rough July. While stopped at a red light back home in Los Angeles earlier in the month, he says he was rear-ended by a driver going 45 miles per hour. His injuries landed him in physical therapy, and his car was totaled.

After all the stress and pain, Caliber needed a “mental break” and came to Seattle ahead of his 23rd birthday in a couple of weeks. While he was walking to meet a friend, he was viciously attacked and robbed. It was all caught on video.

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Brutal attack in broad daylight in Seattle

The surveillance video of the attack is difficult to watch.

Caliber was walking near the parking lot by Cash America on Rainier Avenue South around 6:15 p.m. on July 31 when a man in an orange shirt approaches him. The suspect says something to Caliber, holding out his hand for a handshake. But the suspect doesn’t let go of Caliber’s hand.

As Caliber tries to break free, the suspect grabs him by the neck and pulls him to the ground hard. Moments later, the suspect kicks Caliber in the head. As he struggles to defend himself, the suspect stomps on Caliber’s head, striking him directly in the face twice.

A visibly stunned Caliber again tries to get up when the suspect again stomps on his face, cutting his eye. He’s knocked unconscious. But the suspect takes another hard, swift kick to the side of Caliber’s head.

The suspect searches Caliber’s pockets and steals several items before calmly walking away.

NEW: A 22-year-old freelance photographer visiting Seattle was brutally beaten unconscious & robbed in the Mount Baker neighborhood. Days later, he's still coughing up blood & incurring medical debt.

WARNING: the video is a tough watch. Read more below.https://t.co/l1SUtNzmgu pic.twitter.com/zgdkxeiFeH

— (((Jason Rantz))) on KTTH Radio (@jasonrantz) August 8, 2021

Caliber suffers serious injuries

Caliber detailed his injuries in a GoFundMe page set up to help him financially recover.

He was rushed by ambulance to Harborview after his friends found him lying on the ground. Caliber says he suffered a fractured eye and brain bleeding. At the hospital, he underwent multiple MRIs to see the extent of his injuries and see if he needed emergency surgery.

“Four days later I’m trying to stay positive with the fact I’m still here and able to move forward in life but I still find myself spitting up blood and severe headaches,” Caliber posted online.

The suspect stole his iPhone 12, at least $900 cash, his wallet with a driver’s license, and his debit cards. He also stole car keys belonging to Caliber’s friend. It cost $700 to replace, he said.

This attack wasn’t unexpected

Seattle is experiencing a crime surge thanks to the defund movement, prosecutors that refuse to put criminals behind bars, and a city council that pushes politics over safety.

Mount Baker is known to have a crime issue, but the city doesn’t have enough police to proactively walk, drive, or bike around neighborhoods as a deterrent.

“It’s disheartening to watch this happen around our city, and nothing’s being done about it,” a worker near the scene of the crime told KIRO 7 TV. “It’s been going on for years, and it seems to be the city council has let this continue to happen.”

The situation may soon worsen. A police and prison abolitionist, Nicole Thomas-Kennedy, just won the primary for Seattle City Attorney. She’s vowed not to prosecute most misdemeanors. Those criminals often graduate to felonies.

The victim begrudgingly asks for help

Caliber says on GoFundMe that it’s “normally out of my character to even ask for help like this.” But he’s currently unemployed and taking on massive medical bills.

He says it “has gotten overwhelming for me” and that “anything helps, even a dollar or a share if no money to spare helps.”

“I appreciate and love anybody who can help, stay safe and I hope to be back on my feet/back to work very soon,” he said.

Caliber raised nearly $6,000 at the time this was published. If you’d like to donate, click here.

Police say the suspect is a Black male, 5’10”, 180 lbs., with a medium build. If you have any information about this crime, call SPD’s Robbery Unit at 206-684-5535.

Did you like this opinion piece? Then listen to the Jason Rantz Show weekday afternoons from 3-6 p.m. on KTTH 770 AM (or HD Radio 97.3 FM HD-Channel 3). Subscribe to the podcast here. Follow @JasonRantz  on  Twitter,  Instagram, and Parler, and like me on Facebook. 

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