MUKILTEO—The Mukilteo Police Department have launched an investigation with federal partners to get to the bottom of the alleged assault on State Representative candidate Riaz Khan on Highway 525 and Goat Trail Road on Tuesday, October 29.
Khan claims he was surveying his campaign signs early in the morning Saturday when two White males, aged 30 to 40, followed him from the Mukilteo Waterfront in their vehicle and proceeded to assault him with wooden stakes on 525 leaving him severely bruised.
Khan shared that for weeks, his signs have been stolen and that residents have been texting him witnessing his signs stolen. So, he has been patrolling the district late at night to replace stolen signs.
The former Mukilteo City Council member, a Muslim and Republican running for State Representative for the 21st District, claims he was targeted for his race, religion, and political affiliation based on the perpetrators alleged language used during the attack.
The Mukilteo Police Department responded within a minute to Khan’s call just before 2:00 a.m. on October 29. Upon arrival officers conducted a thorough area check for suspects but no suspects nor associated vehicles were spotted.
The Police Department has assigned Detectives to the case and it remains an active investigation however due to the time of day and location many traditional means of investigation, such as witness testimony or surveillance video cannot be used, the agency said, resulting in more creative and time-consuming methods to gather information.
The Mukilteo PD said they are working with federal partners on the matter and are investigating the incident thoroughly to determine if it was racially, religiously, or politically motivated.
“The Mukilteo Police Department is committed to ensuring the safety and security of all community members and will continue to work diligently to bring those responsible to justice,” said Police Chief Andy Illyn. “Any acts or threats of violence will not be tolerated within this community. I am incredibly proud and thankful to the dedicated officers and detectives who are working on this case, and I am confident that they will leave no stone unturned in the pursuit of justice.”
In addition to roping in federal partners, the Council on American-Islamic Relations (CAIR) has been in contacted with Khan. The Washington state chapter of CAIR, CAIR-WA, has called for investigation into the alleged attack on Khan.
“We are upset to hear of this alleged bigoted assault and urge law enforcement authorities to be swift and thorough in apprehending the individuals responsible,” said CAIR-WA Executive Director Imraan Siddiqi. “Acts of violence will not intimidate American Muslims out of participating in the political process.”
From January to June 2024, CAIR has documented 4,951 incoming bias complaints nationwide, a 69 percent increase over the same period in 2023, the agency reports. Statewide, CAIR-WA reports a 204% increase in calls for help regarding discrimination and hate from January to June 2024 compared to the same period in 2023.
The Mukilteo PD is urging anyone who was in the area at the time or has information regarding the incident to contact investigators at crimetips@mukilteowa.gov or make an anonymous tip at mycrimereport.us.
Editor’s Note: Article updated 3:33 p.m., October 31, 2024, to include CAIR’s remarks.
