(Molly Bruns, Headline USA) Attorney Joshua Pond flew from the East Coast to Seattle on a business trip, where a man stabbed him in an attempted mugging a mere two hours after landing in the Washington city.
The incident took place outside of a Courtyard Marriott hotel, where Pond waited for a taxi to take him and his coworker to dinner, the Daily Caller reported.
The attacker, Job Quimpo, approached Pond on the street and demanded his cell phone. Quimpo pushed Pond repeatedly and stabbed the lawyer as he attempted to get into his taxi.
“The shoves were sharp, there was something different, so I reached back on my shirt and pulled out blood on my hands,” Pond explained. “That was the first time I realized I had been stabbed and the first time I knew he had a knife.”
Doctors reported that Pond narrowly missed serious damage to his internal organs.
Quimpo, who faced arrest for the assault, has several previous convictions, including assault, resisting arrest, burglary, carrying a concealed knife and malicious mischief.
“I’ve been to Seattle over the years and I never would have expected what happened,” Pond said. “I just didn’t expect any of these issues. Even in the days I was there subsequently, there were people wandering the streets shouting. I very much hope we can do better to alleviate crime, homelessness and addiction.”
Two days after the attack on Pond, a shooting took place behind the hotel—the victim did not survive.
Seattle’s crime rates continue to break records, with homicides rising by 24% between 2021 and 2022. More than 130 police officers left the city after the city cut funding for the police department by 17% in response to the George Floyd protests.
Democrat Mayor Bruce Harrell has attempted to implement plans to crack down on drug abuse, homelessness and increasing crime by having the police target fentanyl dealers, adding street lamps and recruiting more “safety ambassadors.”
