EDMONDS—On June 10, 2025, Edmonds Police responded to a disturbance at City Park involving an intoxicated man who made racially charged comments toward two women in Islamic attire. The situation escalated, but no arrest was made per the victims’ wishes.
“As mayor of Edmonds, I want to be clear that acts of hate or intolerance have no place in our community,” Edmonds Mayor Mike Rosen released in a statement. “I’m grateful to our community members who stepped in to de-escalate the situation, and our responding police officers for their compassionate and professional investigation. We remain committed to ensuring Edmonds is a safe and welcoming place for everyone.”
“This incident is deeply concerning, and I commend the officers for their swift and professional response,” Edmonds Police Chief Rod Sniffen said. “While no arrest was made at the victims’ request, we take these matters seriously and remain vigilant in protecting the rights and safety of all community members.”
Officers responded to the 911 call at approximately 5:23 p.m. and arrived on the scene within minutes. Through investigation, officers learned the suspect, a 37-year-old Edmonds resident, was at the park with his wife and young child. The suspect approached two women and a child, who are also Edmonds residents, and allegedly made racially charged comments, including references to their clothing and perceived national origin.
Several independent witnesses supported the claim that the male’s comments were aggressive and inappropriate. The suspect, who appeared intoxicated, was alleged to have made statements suggesting the women should remove their headscarves and leave the country. Nearby park visitors had witnessed this conduct and stepped in to support the women and their family.
The husband of one of the women became aware of the incident and came to their defense, verbally confronting the suspect. The husband, also a U.S. Marine, chose to disengage and call 911 to report the incident, resulting in multiple officers being dispatched. Officers arrived and ultimately detained the male suspect in handcuffs while the situation was investigated.
Officers developed probable cause to believe the male suspect had placed the victims in fear of imminent harm.
The facts and evidence from the investigation did not support the conclusion that a Hate Crime, as defined by state law, had occurred. One of the responding officers speaks a language closely related to Farsi, allowing for effective communication with the two female victims.
The victims expressed that they did not wish to pursue charges and stated that they had forgiven the suspect involved. Respecting the victims’ wishes, the suspect was released from custody at the scene. A full investigative report was still completed.
The Edmonds Police Department stated that it takes all reports of bias-related incidents seriously and that although charges were not pursued in this case, “we remain committed to fostering a safe and respectful community for all residents and visitors. We encourage anyone who experiences or witnesses acts of hate to call 911.”
Source: Edmonds Police Department
Author: Lynnwood Times Staff
