SEATTLE — According to investigative documents, a defense attorney was body-checked on his way into the King County Courthouse June 19 by 29-year old Ibrahima Diallo of Des Moines, who then allegedly attacked another man in the same way, seconds later.
A female court clerk was then hit in the stomach, also allegedly by Diallo.
“Before she could get outside, the suspect ended up punching her in the stomach,” King County Sheriff’s Office Sgt. Ryan Abbott told KIRO 7 Wednesday about the apparently unprovoked attack.
“We don’t know why. He’s never met her, she’s never met him,” Abbott said.
Diallo was arrested for assault, but despite three alleged victims, he was released from jail without having to post bail. According to King County District Court documents, “court does not find probable cause” to keep him behind bars.
Charges on two of the alleged June 19 assaults are still pending. The third alleged victim declined to stay at the courthouse long enough to be interviewed by investigators.
Meanwhile, Diallo is again behind bars.
He was arrested July 9 on suspicion of two unrelated assaults and a criminal trespass. Sgt. Abbott told KIRO 7, since Diallo was booked for the courthouse incidents he has been rearrested and released from jail “four or five times, for different things.”
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- KIRO 7's previous coverage of courthouse attacks in Seattle
Crime at the King County Courthouse is an ongoing problem.
Alicia Damon of Seattle told KIRO 7 she “absolutely” does not feel safe at the courthouse. “I’ve seen people get stabbed, get shot, fights.
People sell drugs all night long, sleep on the streets all night. It’s just dangerous right here,” Damon said.
A judge who asked not to be identified told KIRO 7 that multiple jail and law enforcement officers, court employees, jurors, lawyers and an intern have all been assaulted, harassed and spat-on -- by multiple suspects --- in just the past six months.
Both the King County Sheriff's Office and Seattle Police Department have stepped-up their presence in the area in recent months. Power-washing now happens two-three times a week, instead of once a month, and meetings between court and city leaders continue to address what can be done to make the courthouse more safe.
Abbott said, despite the three attacks in one day, “I feel like improvements have been made.”
“It’s supposed to be a safe place. You’re supposed to feel safe here,” he said.