Rantz: Former Dem State Rep’s son suspected of hitting officer in head with bat

The stepson of a former Democratic state lawmaker was arrested for suspected arson. Now, he’s a suspect in the assault of a Seattle police officer. The video of the assault, which showed an officer hit in the helmet with a bat, went viral after a night of intense, escalating violence against police officers.

The 19-year-old suspect, Jacob Greenberg, was arrested in Kirkland on suspicion of arson during a weekend riot outside of the East Precinct. Police reportedly also suspect him in a Molotov cocktail attack and a separate arson against the East Precinct.

Upon searching his home, they reportedly found a bat and an outfit matching the one in the video of a man striking an officer in the head last week at the same location. According to the Seattle Police Department, they believe the officer would have been critically injured, if not killed, had it not been for the helmet the officer was wearing. He has not been arrested or formally charged for the bat assault.

Sources say Greenberg is the stepson of former representative Laura Ruderman of Kirkland. She was the Vice Chair of the Technology, Telecommunications, and Energy Committee, and also served on the Appropriations, Rules, and Health Care Committees.

Ruderman did not respond to request for comment by the Jason Rantz Show on KTTH. A judge set Greenberg’s bail at just $20,000, rejecting the King County Prosecutor’s Office request of $350,000.

Greenberg’s Facebook is full of anti-police posts, including “We don’t get justice they don’t get peace!” His last post, from September 24, says he was at the protest turned riot. He asked for help to get suspects out of jail. This time, he relied on his mother to bail him out.

Black bloc terrorist tries to kill a Seattle police officer by hitting him in the head with a bat. The Council and Mayor will say nothing. pic.twitter.com/L7Giudj8Ey

— (((Jason Rantz))) on KTTH Radio (@jasonrantz) September 24, 2020

UPDATE: Due to an editing error, title mistakenly said Greenberg was arrested for hitting the officer in the head. He’s the suspect. He was arrested for arson.

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