A Ballard Food Bank employee (1400 NW Leary Way) was stabbed Monday morning during an altercation with a client.
Police said officers responded around 10:30 a.m. to reports of a stabbing. When they arrived, they found a 35-year-old man outside the entrance of the business with a stab wound. Officers provided aid until medics with the Seattle Fire Department arrived. The employee was transported to Harborview Medical Center in stable condition with non-life-threatening injuries.
A 34-year-old man was arrested in connection with the stabbing. Police said a blade was recovered. The suspect was also evaluated by medics at the scene for a cut to his leg. He was transported to Harborview Medical Center and is awaiting medical clearance before being booked into King County Jail for investigation of assault.
According to The Seattle Times, the suspect is a client of the Ballard Food Bank who became combative inside the building. An employee attempted to calm the man down and escorted him outside. The man struck the employee, and an altercation began before the employee was stabbed.
The Ballard Food Bank said it will close Tuesday to allow staff and volunteers to recover. Staff are coordinating with other food banks in the area to ensure clients can continue accessing food services.
Detectives with the Seattle Police Department’s Homicide and Assault Unit are investigating what led up to the stabbing. Anyone with additional information is asked to call the department’s Violent Crimes Tip Line at (206) 233-5000.
Photo: Ballard Food Bank