Seattle firefighters, woman charged in beating of homeless man

Two Seattle firefighters and a woman were charged with fourth-degree assault and malicious harassment Wednesday for allegedly beating up a homeless man in Pioneer Square after a Sounders match on March 15.

Based on the police reports and witness interviews, “we have reason to believe the harassment was because of the victim’s status of being homeless,” Criminal Division Chief Craig Sims said.

The King County Prosecutor’s Office declined to file charges against Mia Jarvinen, Robert Howell, and Scott Bullene in April.

Witnesses told police a woman yelled at the homeless man for sleeping on the Fallen Firefighter Memorial and then kicked him. One of the men, a Seattle firefighter, hit the man with a stick and the third, another firefighter, joined in the attack.

The homeless man stood up to defend himself and stabbed one of the firefighters with a knife.

One of the men went back and witnesses said he attacked a second homeless man.

The King County Prosecutor’s Office said it reviewed the alleged assault because one of the three suspects involved had potentially committed a felony assault.

“We have concluded that there is not sufficient evidence to prove a felony assault,” according to the King County Prosecutor’s Office.

There is not a provision under state law that allowed the prosecutor’s office to file a malicious harassment charge regarding an alleged victim being targeted based on being homeless.

The firefighters are 15 and 17-year veterans of the Fire Department. One of them has been on disability since January, while the other had last worked days before the incident.

The woman involved is not part of the department.

If convicted, Jarvinen, Howell, and Bullene each face a fine of up to $5,000 and up to 364 days in jail. They’re expected to appear in court in about three weeks.