A homeless man in Seattle caused a disturbance in an ice cream and coffee shop in the Pike Place Market area near Seattle’s Gum Wall. The man was caught on security camera footage shoving items off a counter display and pushing a movable display case towards two workers. One of the workers pulled out a knife to defend himself and his coworker. The man then left the establishment, and a Pike Place Market security guard showed up. The shop owner, Ian Halcott, described the incident as an assault on one of his employees and the destruction of his service counter by a deranged criminal.
Halcott shared that the man threatened to shoot his employees during the encounter. Although his staff called 911, officers were not dispatched due to staffing issues. Halcott expressed concern about the lack of response from law enforcement and the fear his employees felt for their safety during the incident. Halcott mentioned that he attempted to contact the police after the fact to report that the suspect was still at large, but had difficulty reaching anyone on the Seattle Police Department’s non-emergency line. He later managed to connect with someone from the department after speaking with a radio host.
As a result of the incident, Halcott’s employees are now worried about their safety, and he has had to reduce hours because of staffing difficulties. He mentioned that he has been a small business owner in Seattle for 25 years and had rarely experienced such significant issues in the area around Pike Place Market prior to the incident. Halcott expressed frustration with the lack of enforcement in the area, which he described as the heart of the tourist industry in Seattle. He emphasized that the situation was particularly challenging since he had not encountered similar problems before the COVID-19 pandemic.
Despite the concerns raised by Halcott and his employees, the Seattle Police Department did not respond to a request for comment from Fox News Digital. The lack of response from law enforcement, along with the struggle to address safety concerns and staffing issues, has left Halcott feeling frustrated and worried about the future of his business. He highlighted the need for increased enforcement in the area to ensure the safety of businesses, employees, and tourists. The incident serves as a reminder of the challenges faced by small business owners in maintaining a safe and secure environment, particularly in areas heavily reliant on tourism.
