National Guardsman attacked in Parkland
07:01 PM PDT on Wednesday, August 30, 2006
By JIM FORMAN / KING 5 News
PARKLAND, Wash. – A National Guardsman out for a walk Tuesday morning was brutally attacked.
Police say the beating happened in broad daylight off busy Pacific Avenue near 138th Street South. As the guardsman was walking to a convenience store, an SUV pulled up along side the man and the driver rolled down his window and asked the soldier was in the military and if he had seen any action.
The next thing he knew, the driver – who was toting a handgun -- jumped out with four other men and kicked him to the ground and started punching and kicking him.
Pierce County deputies are hoping a $,1,000 reward can help catch the men who launched what by all accounts was an unprovoked attack.
The attackers were reportedly in a black Chevy Suburban type SUV. The suspects are all white and some of the men in their early to mid 20's were wearing red baseball caps and red sweatshirts.
“During the assault, they called him a baby killer and made some other comments regarding the military,” Pierce County Sheriff’s Office spokesman Ed Troyer said.
“At this point, our victim is black, our suspects are white, but there was no mention made of any race issues. We believe he was targeted due to wearing the military clothing and the comment that were made were about war and about his military activity and had nothing to do with race,” Troyer said.
http://www.king5.com/cgi-bin/bi/gold_print.cgi
Hmmmmmmmmmm...out for a walk in uniform?....is this area anywhere near a NG base or recruiters office?