Monday. Feb. 15, 9:15 a.m., Union Gospel Mission, Second Avenue Ext. S. Officer was dispatched to a report of an assault at the Union Gospel Mission. He arrived and contacted the victim, a transient male who stated he was standing in line for food when the suspect came out of nowhere and punched him in the back of the head four or five times. The punches caused a laceration on the back of his head and a cut to his upper lip. Victim could not, or refused to, describe the suspect. At first the victim said to the officer not to worry about it, because he would "take care of it." However when officers were able to locate the suspect at the Compass Center, the victim said he did want to press charges. Suspect stated that he and victim were standing in line when the victim began to argue for no good reason. He said the victim then threw down his tray of food and charged him and he had acted in self-defense. The only witness at the scene said he did not see how the fight had started, but did see them both fighting. Suspect was released from the scene. Victim was transported to Harborview Medical Center for minor lacerations.
Thursday, Feb. 18, 5:01p.m., First Avenue Service Center, First Avenue. Officers arrived to investigate a report of an assault. The victim, a transient male, stated he was standing in the alley behind the Service Center when his friend approached him and struck him in the face and neck, causing a minor injury. Officer asked victim why his friend had assaulted him, and he stated it was for no reason. Officer observed a scratch on the victim's neck by his Adam's apple. Victim stated suspect left on foot, and described what he looked like and what he was wearing. He said that they had been friends for years, but would be willing to press charges for this unprovoked attack. An area check for the suspect was unfruitful, and victim was given a case number and urged to call police if he saw the suspect again.