Helen Smith

A man violently assaulted two women at an Edmonds massage parlor on Sunday, according to police. Both were taken to area hospitals for treatment. EDMONDS, Wash. — A man "violently" assaulted two female employees at an Edmonds massage parlor Sunday evening, according to the Edmonds Police Department.  A 911 caller reported an assault at the business on Edmonds Way just before 6 p.m. A 48-year-old man allegedly attacked the two women and then fled the area on foot.  When police arrived at the massage parlor, they found both women unconscious. One woman was taken to Swedish Edmonds and the other woman was taken to Harborview Medical Center for treatment of their injuries.  There is no information on their conditions at this time.  Witnesses were able to point police officers in the direction of the suspect, and he was taken into custody nearby. The man made statements to police acknowledging he assaulted the women, but he did not share a motive, Edmonds police said. Detectives are still investigating what led up to the attack. 

Four suspects used a stolen Hyundai to ram into the front of a smoke shop in Seattle's Greenwood neighborhood early Monday morning. SEATTLE — Multiple suspects are wanted after a smash-and-grab robbery at a smoke shop in Seattle's Greenwood neighborhood early Monday morning.  Four suspects used a stolen car to crash through the front of Xhale Tobacco on North 85th Street at around 2:30 a.m., according to the Seattle Police Department. A witness reported that four masked men arrived at the store in three vehicles.  One suspect reportedly drove the car into the building at an angle, dislodging a bollard that was supposed to protect the store from being run into. All four suspects were seen entering the store with bags, stealing merchandise and then fleeing eastbound on North 85th Street in two different cars, leaving the stolen Hyundai behind. Police confirmed that car had been reported stolen out of Seattle.  The owner of the smoke shop said they have been the victim of a smash-and-grab robbery before, which led them to install bollards out front to try and prevent it from happening again. 

A suspect stabbed a man aboard a King County Metro bus on Sunday evening. The victim is in serious condition at the hospital. SEATTLE — A man is in the hospital after a suspect stabbed him aboard a King County Metro bus in downtown Seattle Sunday evening.  A 911 caller reported the incident at around 6:08 p.m. The Metro bus was in the area of Third Avenue and Pike Street when the stabbing happened.  There are no details as to what led up to the suspect stabbing the victim. King County Sheriff's Office (KCSO) Metro units arrived at the scene and provided the victim with aid until medics arrived. The victim, a man in his late 50s to early 60s, is in serious condition at Harborview Medical Center.  The suspect fled the scene before law enforcement arrived, according to KCSO. 

Turning its back on the CDC, the Washington State Department of Health is recommending that everyone six months and older stay up-to-date on the COVID-19 vaccine. OLYMPIA, Wash. — The Washington State Department of Health (DOH) made its own official recommendation that everyone 6 months and older get the COVID-19 vaccine.  This recommendation is majorly expanded from what the U.S. Food and Drug Administration handed down in late August, which restricted vaccine access to those 65 and older, or anyone 6 months and older with a condition that puts them at particular risk from the virus.  This is the DOH's first recommendation since Washington, Oregon, and California joined forces to issue their own vaccine recommendations, citing "recent federal actions that undermine the independence of the [Centers for Disease Control and Prevention] CDC."  U.S. Health Secretary Robert F. Kennedy, an outspoken vaccine skeptic, swept the Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices (ACIP) earlier this summer and replaced all members with his own appointees who hold similarly critical views on vaccination. ACIP is expected to meet in mid-September to issue its official recommendation as to who should get the COVID vaccine, and vaccines for hepatitis B, measles, mumps, rubella, and varicella (MMRV), and respiratory syncytial virus (RSV).  States have historically aligned with the CDC's recommendation, but now many are following the West Coast's example by forming their own advisory bodies. The West Coast Health Alliance, which now includes Hawaii, is instead taking its guidance from the American Academy of Pediatrics, the American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists and the American Academy of Family Physicians.  Some states are striking out on their own. New York's Gov. Kathy Hochul announced plans to sign an executive order granting vaccine access to nearly anyone who wants it.  Potential for limited vaccine supply in September Washington's Department of Health warned that appointments to get the COVID-19 vaccine may be limited because some providers are still waiting to receive their supplies of the updated vaccine.  The DOH's Childhood and Adult Vaccine programs are not currently available and may not be accessible until late September or October.  "DOH urges everyone to remain patient and vigilant in staying up to date on vaccinations," the agency wrote in a release.  The department said the vaccine remains covered by most private insurers, by Apple Health (Washington's Medicaid program,) and Washington's Adult Vaccine and Childhood Vaccine programs, when they become available for the year. 

Alan Eufracio-Vazquez killed 24-year-old Triston Smith in a DUI crash in September 2024. PIERCE COUNTY, Wash. — A man was sentenced to more than seven years in prison for vehicular homicide after he pleaded guilty to killing a Spanaway father in a DUI crash last September.  Alan Eufracio-Vasquez crashed into 24-year-old Triston Smith's vehicle on Spanaway Loop Road in Parkland last year, pushing Smith's car up against a telephone pole. Police said the car was so damaged it was unrecognizable.  Smith was taken to the hospital but died two days later from his injuries.  Eufracio-Vaszquez was sentenced to 86 months in prison, followed by 18 months of community custody. He is not allowed to have contact with Smith's family, and is required to pay restitution to Smith's family and for the cost of the emergency response. He is not allowed to use or possess controlled substances or alcohol, or have any association with drug users or sellers. He will no longer be able to own firearms or other weapons and his driver's license has been suspended.  Family members described Triston Smith as a dedicated young father. He had sole custody of his 4-year-old daughter at the time of his death, and the two were living with Smith's mother.  “He was so good and pure-hearted,” said Stephanie Delano, Smith’s mother. “He loved helping his sisters and his brother out with athletics and schoolwork.” Smith graduated from Spanaway Lake High School in 2018 and was a wrestler. He went on to attend Pierce College. He was a plumber and was hoping to become a pastor. Smith very involved in church groups in the area. KING 5's Conner Board contributed to this report.

There are Level 1, 2 and 3 evacuations around the Lower Sugarloaf fire 12 miles north of Leavenworth. CHELAN COUNTY, Wash. — The Sugarloaf fire in Chelan County is prompting evacuations two days after it sparked in central Washington.  The Lower Sugarloaf fire was first reported on Monday, around 12 miles north of Leavenworth. The fire exploded in size from 100 acres to 6,222 acres Thursday, according to the Northwest Interagency Fire Center.  Chelan County has issued Level 3, Go Now! evacuations for Mad River Road from address 427 and up. Level 2 evacuations are in place for Mad River Road up to address 426, Arden Road, River Road, Moe Ride Road, Mill Street, Red Hill Road and Two River Road. People who live in these areas should be prepared to leave at a moment's notice.  Level 1 evacuations are in place for Nahahum Canyon, including Indian Rock Lane and up, Olalla at milepost 1 and up, Hay Canyon from the end of the pavement up, Derby Canyon Road from 9088 and up, and Entiat River Road from Roaring Creek Road to Mud Creek, to include Roaring Creek Road.  For the most up-to-date evacuation levels, check this map updated by Chelan County Emergency Management. People who don't live in the Entiat River Valley are directed to stay away from Entiat River Road as it's needed by first responders and people who are evacuating from the area.  People are also asked to stay away from the Mad River Trail System, the Tommy Creek area, Tyee area, French Corral and Pine Flats Campground, in addition to Merry Canyon, Second Creek, Eagle Creek, Van Creek, Derby Canyon and Chumstick Mountain areas on the Wenatchee River Ranger District.  Officials say they are seeing "extreme fire behavior," and dry and gusty conditions persist in the area. A Red Flag Warning is in effect for the east side of the Cascades until Thursday at 9 p.m.

A man who was waving a gun at people in the Capitol Hill neighborhood accidentally shot himself in the chest when several others tried to disarm him. SEATTLE — A man is in the hospital after he accidentally shot himself during an altercation in Seattle's Capitol Hill neighborhood early Thursday morning.  Witnesses told police that the man was causing a disturbance and waving a gun at people around 2 a.m. on East Pike Street.  Multiple other men stepped in and tried to disarm the suspect, and a scuffle ensued, according to Seattle police. During the altercation, the man shot himself in the chest.  Seattle police were called to the scene, and they provided the man with aid until the Seattle Fire Department arrived. The suspect was taken to Harborview Medical Center in serious condition.  One other man involved in the fight was also taken to the hospital to be treated for injuries, but he did not get shot, police said.  The suspect was arrested for harassment and is under armed guard at the hospital. He will be booked into King County Jail when he is discharged.

Citing a lack of faith in the Robert F. Kennedy-run CDC, the three West Coast states will issue their own immunization recommendations. SEATTLE — Citing a lack of faith in Secretary of Health Robert F. Kennedy's Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), Washington, Oregon and California are forming an alliance to issue their own vaccine recommendations.  The new group will be called the West Coast Health Alliance. The alliance will coordinate health guidelines and align its immunization recommendations with those of "respected national medical organizations," instead of those of the CDC, according to a Wednesday press release.  "This will allow residents to receive consistent, science-based recommendations they can rely on -- regardless of shifting federal actions," the release reads.  The governors of the three states called the "blatant politicization of the agency a direct assault on the health and safety of the American people."  "The CDC has become a political tool that increasingly peddles ideology instead of science, ideology that will lead to severe health consequences," Govs. Bob Ferguson, Tina Kotek and Gavin Newsom said in a joint statement, "ideology that will lead to severe health consequences. California, Oregon and Washington will not allow the people of our states to be put at risk."   Kennedy is an outspoken vaccine skeptic. This summer, he ousted every member of the Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices and replaced them with his own appointees.  The newly appointed committee just walked back who should get the COVID-19 vaccine, now limiting the recommendation to seniors who are most at risk for serious complications from the illness.  The move mimics actions taken by the three states during the pandemic, when California, Oregon and Washington worked together to coordinate their vaccine approvals and rollouts. 

New surveillance video shows a shootout between a group of juveniles and a young man following an altercation on a bus in Mill Creek. MILL CREEK, Wash. — New surveillance video is providing a closer look at a shootout that happened aboard a public bus in Snohomish County.  The shooting happened on Aug. 16 near the Mill Creek Safeway at around 5 p.m. Witnesses reported that a fight broke out between a man and a group of juveniles, escalating to a shooting.  The video shows a man and woman getting onto the Swift Orange Line bus on 164th Street Southeast. A group of juveniles already inside then attacks the man.  The man escaped and ran off the bus. The woman yelled at the attackers and asked the bus driver to let her off as well.  That's when the man outside the bus appears to pull out a gun and fire shots through the bus windows. Two of the juveniles inside pull out guns and fire back, the video shows.  No one was injured in the shooting, police said.  Everyone involved in the shootout fled the scene before law enforcement arrived, but two of the juveniles were apprehended after a K9 track. Police identified another juvenile who they believed to be involved in the altercation, and are investigating if there are other suspects.  KING 5 has asked if any other arrests were made in this case. 

When asked if the Bellevue extension would open ahead of the World Cup as planned, Harrell said he "wouldn't make any promises." SEATTLE — Despite a funding shortfall amounting to tens of billions of dollars, Seattle and King County officials are rallying to press forward with light rail extension plans, particularly to Ballard and West Seattle.  Sound Transit's Board of Directors was informed last week that the agency faces a $22 billion to $30 billion funding gap in its quest to expand the Link light rail. The increases are mainly due to inflation, complex project delivery, tariffs, labor shortages, supply chain disruptions, increased scope and the purchase or lease of real estate, the agency said.  While Sound Transit is just beginning to grapple with what this funding gap means for its ongoing and planned projects, Seattle Mayor Bruce Harrell, Seattle City Councilmember Dan Strauss and King County Councilmember Teresa Mosqueda urged progress on the Seattle light rail extensions anyway.   "This is real money. These are real challenges. However, we cannot and will not derail our commitment to Seattle voters who overwhelmingly supported this transformative investment," Harrell said. If work on the West Seattle and Ballard light rail extensions were to be delayed, there would be "no new light rail construction in Seattle for at least four years," he continued.  Harrell said Seattle was willing to expedite permitting processes, lend their own engineering and planning employees to the projects and speed up the timelines in order to bring down costs for the two extensions.  The Seattle City Council Transportation Committee will consider legislation Thursday that frees up budget resources to ensure the city has the personnel to commit to the projects as soon as they're ready to move forward.  Whether any ongoing construction will face delays due to budget constraints was unclear. When asked if the Bellevue extension would open by the FIFA World Cup next summer, as hoped for, Harrell said he believed they were in good shape, but that he "wouldn't make any promises."  Executive Director of the Transportation Choice Coalition Kirk Hovenkotter also spoke to reinforce the enthusiasm Seattle residents have for an expanded public transit system.  "Light rail is more popular than the Kraken, or the return of the Supersonics," Hovenkotter said. "The excitement for these projects is palpable. The message from voters, riders and the public is clear: Build the damn trains."  Sound Transit is expected to introduce a cost-saving work plan later this month. Beyond that, the immediate impacts of the budget shortfall are unclear.