Ex-convict stabs Asian American in Seattle light rail unprovoked

Ishmail Brown, a man with convictions dating back to 2002, is facing new charges after being accused of stabbing a Vietnamese American man on public transit.

The victim, identified as Tin Vi Pham, was sitting in his seat when prosecutors say Brown stabbed him without any provocation.

KIRO7 reports that prosecutors described the incident as a “random and incredibly violent attack”.

Brown “plunged the knife down from above, over and over again,” according to King County Senior Deputy Prosecuting Attorney Brynn Jacobson.

Nearby passengers took action to confront Brown and save Pham.

Footage from security cameras shows a man carrying a child away from the violence before pushing the security alarm. One passenger used his bag as a shield and another threw his shoes at Brown while others helped the victim escape.

Pham suffered 18 stab wounds and recovered at the Harborview Medical Center, according to the Seattle Times.

Police arrested Brown on the scene but the jail “declined” Brown and sent him to a hospital for unknown reasons.

Prosecutors say Brown has a history of felony convictions since 2002. His crimes range from reckless driving/racing to unlawful possession of a firearm in 2008 and second-degree arson in 2016.

Fox News reports that he is now behind bars and being held on $1.5 million bail for first and second-degree assault.

Sound Transit previously acknowledged light rail security as an issue. They announced earlier this year that they would increase the number of light rail security by about 300 guards. However, no guards were present on the train during the attack.