Violent protesters headed to court

SEATTLE — Seattle police officers were sent to the hospital after Sunday night’s violence. Eighteen people were arrested. The question now is whether those arrested will be held responsible.

Neighbors tell KIRO 7 off-camera the windows at the officers’ union headquarters were boarded up late last week, apparently in anticipation of what happened Sunday night.

What began as a peaceful protest through Seattle's Chinatown-International District devolved into a violent clash with Seattle police.

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The protesters made no secret that the officers were their targets.

Seattle police said a crowd of about 100 protesters seemed to change as they reached the SODO headquarters for the Seattle Police Officers Guild, or SPOG, just before 10 p.m. Sunday night. That's when police said protesters tried breaking the window of a patrol car.

"And at the same time," said SPD Lt. John Brooks, "they threw a very large pyrotechnic below the window or below the vehicle — exploding in front of officers."

Brooks said he ordered the protesters to disperse. Instead, they began pelting officers with rocks, bottles, and even the umbrellas they often carry. That's when he declared the protest a riot.

SPD released photographs of the most badly injured officers; one officer was struck with a bottle near his eye, and the other suffered burns to the neck from an explosive.

Both officers were taken to Harborview Medical Center.

In all, 18 people were arrested for assault and malicious mischief.

The one suspect who was supposed to appear in court today was released, pending further investigation by the King County prosecutor.

"The majority of these cases are misdemeanor cases, and so those don't come to us," said Casey McNerthney, a spokesman for the prosecutor. "But in the cases where there's property destruction or assaults on officers, we're not ignoring those cases certainly."

McNerthney said the prosecutor's office makes a distinction between peaceful protesters and those who become violent. He said the cases involving peaceful protesters never make it to the office.

Most of those arrested are expected to make court appearances Tuesday.

Cox Media Group