KING COUNTY, Wash. — The recent assault of a 75-year-old woman outside the King County Courthouse has raised urgent concerns about safety in the area, prompting local officials to call for improvements. County Councilmember Reagan Dunn expressed his outrage following the December 5 incident, where Jeanette Marken was attacked with a wooden board, resulting in the blinding of her right eye.
Dunn reacted strongly, conveying both shock and frustration over what he describes as a persistent security challenge around the courthouse. He highlighted this attack as part of a troubling pattern of violence in the vicinity, which has been documented over time.
“The King County Courthouse should be a safe haven for the public,” Dunn emphasized. “Yet, stepping outside requires a cautious look in both directions due to the dangers present. It is unacceptable that both city and county authorities are failing to address these minimum safety standards.”
Employees have previously voiced their worries regarding safety at the courthouse, reporting incidents including attempted assaults within its walls. The advocacy for better security measures has gained momentum, especially following this recent attack that garnered national attention. Andrius Dyrikis, Marken’s son, shared that his mother is on the mend but remains anxious about future incidents. “We’re relieved she doesn’t require further surgeries, but my mom keeps asking if anything will be done to prevent this from happening again,” he stated.
The alleged attacker, 42-year-old Fale Pea, has been charged with first-degree assault following the incident. Body camera footage from his arrest revealed that police were already familiar with Pea due to numerous prior arrests linked to unprovoked violence on the same street. “He’s a familiar face; he usually resorts to punching people, but today he escalated his behavior,” a Seattle police officer noted during the footage.
Pea’s history with the legal system adds to the concerns surrounding repeat offenders. An evaluation conducted at King County Jail in December found him competent for trial, and he is scheduled to reappear in court this week. Despite facing multiple misdemeanor assault cases in the past, most were dismissed following a determination of his incompetency last August.
Dunn argues that allowing individuals like Pea to remain on the streets without facing appropriate consequences endangers the entire community. “Failing to hold repeat offenders accountable only puts more citizens at risk,” he said. “It’s essential that we enforce the law to protect our residents and address these ongoing security issues.”
The King County Prosecuting Attorney’s Office reported that only two felony referrals have been sent concerning Pea: the current charge and an older case from 2011 that resulted in a felony assault conviction related to a stabbing incident in SeaTac. As public safety remains at the forefront of local concerns, the push for enhanced security measures around the courthouse continues to grow.