Seattle, WA

Suspect charged with murder for violently killing Seattle unhoused person with ax

Published

2 years ago

March 6, 2024

Press Room

Suspect charged with murder for violently killing Seattle unhoused person with ax

Vigil held for unhoused man killed in axe attack

Seattle neighbors gathered to remember the life of 52-year-old Daravuth Van, who was found dead from brutal axe wounds.

SEATTLE – A man accused of violently murdering an unhoused person with an ax is now charged with first-degree murder.

On Wednesday, King County Prosecuting Attorney’s Office filed the charge against 25-year-old suspect Liam Kryger.

In the moments leading to the prosecutors’ decision, community advocates held a silent vigil honoring Daravuth Van. He was the 52-year-old man who was attacked and killed with an ax while sleeping outside in Seattle’s First Hill neighborhood.

“His murder, hate crime, impacted the whole community,” said Antria Freeman, a founding member of Women in Black and Women’s Housing, Equality, and Enhancement League (WHEEL), both advocacy groups.

According to WHEEL and Women in Black, 32 people experiencing homelessness have died on the streets of King County in 2024.

Members of the groups stood on the steps of Seattle City Hall calling for respect and protection for the unhoused. They stood together to raise awareness about Van’s life and all who have died on the streets while experiencing homelessness.

“We’re here every month, once or twice, sometimes for as many as 30 people who have died in a month,” said Pat Simpson, a member of Women in Black.

“One reason we started these vigils is to increase the dignity of homeless people in death and in life,” said Freeman, who previously experienced homelessness.

Seattle Police found Van’s body on Feb. 22 in an alley next to Town Hall Seattle.

Detectives said Van was stalked by Kryger before he was violently murdered with an ax as he slept outside.

King County prosecutors argued that suspected killer Kryger has a history of violence, and even threatened his parents and assaulted his brothers, according to court documents.

Charging documents quoted testimony from his mother in 2019, saying, “This is not the first time he has come in our home while we are asleep and threatened us. It has been one year since he came in our home with an ax and stood over our bed and threatened us in our sleep.”

Kryger was previously charged in 2018 with assault and criminal trespass. He is now charged with first-degree murder. His bail is set at $5 million, and prosecutors said Kryger is scheduled for an arraignment on March 20th.

Investigators have not revealed a motive behind Kryger’s suspected use of an ax to kill Van. Homeless advocates said this incident reveals a bigger issue causing fear in their community.

“That we continue to allow so many people to be outside and vulnerable and dying so young and unnecessarily is what sends a message to somebody who thinks that it’s alright to target homeless people with violence,” said Simpson.

“There were some homeless people up on Capitol Hill who were run over,” said Freeman. “Makes us all feel targeted.”

“I’m really horrified that a couple of our homeless neighbors have been targeted by people committing seemingly random acts of violence against them for no reason except that they are homeless,” said Brigid Hagan, a member of Women in Black.

During their demonstration, the groups called on the Seattle mayor’s office for solutions that would offer them protection. This includes more treatment services, more shelter space, and more affordable housing.

“To the mayor, to city hall, to the county, and beyond. Getting enough affordable housing built and accessible is going to take all those layers of participation. People are on waiting lists for years before something comes up for them,” said Simpson. “Leaves that window of vulnerability for people to fall ill, to die, to be targeted by violence.”

Advocates said solutions are needed soon before another life is lost on the streets.

“Homeless people are your constituents. Start taking better care of them. Start treating homeless people with respect,” said Freeman.

“Our homeless neighbors deserve to be treated with dignity in death. They deserve a whole lot more dignity when they’re alive,” said Hagan.

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Seattle, WA

Seattle Mariners make 5 more roster moves as opener nears

Published

10 hours ago

March 22, 2026

Press Room

Seattle Mariners make 5 more roster moves as opener nears

With spring training wrapping up and opening day just a few days away, the Seattle Mariners continued to whittle down their roster on Sunday.

Drayer: Mariners to go with Garver as backup catcher

The Mariners optioned catcher Jhonny Pereda, right-handed reliever Cole Wilcox and right-handed reliever Yosver Zulueta to Triple-A Tacoma. They also re-assigned first baseman/outfielder Connor Joe and infield prospect Brock Rodden to minor league camp.

The Mariners’ spring training roster is now at 31 players.

Pereda, 29, was acquired from the Minnesota Twins for cash in January. He was brought in to compete for Seattle’s backup catcher role, but Mariners insider Shannon Drayer reported earlier Sunday that veteran Mitch Garver will break camp as Cal Raleigh’s backup. Pereda batted .200 in 25 Cactus League at-bats this spring.

Wilcox, 26, flashed potential this spring after he was acquired from the Tampa Bay Rays for cash last November. He struck out 11 batters across 8 1/3 innings in eight Cactus League appearances, while allowing four runs, six hits and four walks. Mariners manager Dan Wilson said earlier this month that “his stuff has been tremendous” and he “has opened some eyes.”

Zulueta, 28, struck out 10 batters across seven innings in eight Cactus League appearances, while allowing three runs, six hits and three walks. He was acquired from the Cincinnati Reds in a January trade.

Joe, 33, signed a minor league contract with Seattle in February. The six-year MLB veteran had a strong spring, batting .362 with one home run, one triple and six doubles in 47 Cactus League at-bats.

Rodden, 25, is ranked by MLB Pipeline as the Mariners’ No. 18 prospect. A 2023 fifth-round draft pick out of Wichita State, Rodden hit .361 with two homers, one triple and one double in 36 Cactus League at-bats.

More on the Seattle Mariners

• Randy says he apologized, Cal says WBC drama ‘in the past’
• ‘Torpedo 2.0’: Seattle Mariners release another new commercial
• Seattle Mariners re-assign Colt Emerson to minor league camp
• Seattle Mariners’ Cole Young blasts 478-foot moonshot home run
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Follow @CameronVanTil

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Seattle, WA

Seattle Weather: Sunny & Dry Spring Weekend

Published

22 hours ago

March 22, 2026

Press Room

Seattle Weather: Sunny & Dry Spring Weekend

Seattle – March has been off to a very wet start. We have already surpassed the normal monthly rainfall total by an inch with more on the way next week. The atmospheric river event we were tracking wrapped up yesterday and our area rivers have crested and continue to recede. The rain also triggered a landslide on I-5 near Bellingham. Fortunately, the risk of additional landslides is also decreasing.

It’s been a wet start to the month with more than 5″ of rain already recorded so far.

We’ve enjoyed a pleasant, dry first weekend of Spring. Much of Sunday is also expected to be dry. A weak system is forecast to brush by which may bring a few sprinkles with it to a few spots. A few stray flurries are also possible in the mountains.

Futurecast clouds and radar for the region on Sunday.

The much-needed break in rain will continue. Only a stray shower is possible on Sunday.

The cold front which swept through yesterday, ending the days-long rain, also brought some cooler air with it. Afternoon highs will remain slightly below normal on Sunday.

Regional high temperatures around the region on Sunday.

Highs near normal on Sunday with some afternoon sunbreaks.

While Sunday and Monday remain mostly dry, a more significant weather system is expected to move into the region on Tuesday, bringing widespread rain to the lowlands and snow to the mountain passes along with breezy winds.

The extended forecast for the Seattle metro area.

Increasing clouds Monday with rain returning by Tuesday. Snow in the mountains.

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Seattle, WA

Seattle Mariners’ Randy Arozarena says he apologized to Cal

Published

1 day ago

March 21, 2026

Press Room

Seattle Mariners’ Randy Arozarena says he apologized to Cal

PEORIA, Ariz. – Seattle Mariners camp has been a flurry of activity since the return of the last group of players from the World Baseball Classic. There have been innings and at-bats to be found, schedules and lineups scrambled, whatever it takes to get in the work they need for what in just a few short days will be the 26-man roster.

Mariners re-assign Colt Emerson to minor league camp

Somewhere amongst that flurry of activity, a long-awaited conversation was had, according to Randy Arozarena.

About about two hours before the Mariners’ Cactus League game against the Chicago Cubs on Saturday night, Arozarena put out a statement via the team that addressed the WBC incident between him and teammate Cal Raleigh.

“I understand that with Opening Day a few days away, I don’t want it to be a distraction,” Arozarena said. “Cal and I have talked and I apologized for what I said after the game. Nothing in the WBC takes away from the fact that we are brothers and teammates. He’s family, and we are both focused on helping the Mariners win the World Series.”

The statement echoes much of the sentiment of Raleigh’s comments to members of the Seattle media the morning after he refused Arozarena’s handshake in the March 9 WBC game between the United States and Mexico, which prompted postgame comments from Arozarena that spurred unwanted attention on the Mariners.

“I love Randy,” Raleigh said back on March 10. “I have all the respect for him and Team Mexico. I already reached out to him personally to talk with him. And obviously, when we’re back in Seattle, we’re family, we’re brothers, and I’ll do anything for him. I’ll do anything for our team to win.”

Neither player would want anything within their control to put achieving the Mariners’ lofty goals they have set this season in jeopardy. It is likely those words alone from Arozarena would have helped close the door on the incident. The fact he said he apologized to Raleigh for his comments at the WBC in Houston hopefully helps lock that door and put the focus back on what happens on the field, as has been the case with the players in Peoria all along.

An unpleasant sidenote to the WBC should not be a season-changing episode for a team that has put itself in the position the Mariners have.

More on the Seattle Mariners

• Seattle Mariners’ Cole Young blasts 478-foot moonshot home run
• Seattle Mariners release their first commercial for 2026 season
• 3 standouts from Seattle Mariners’ Spring Breakout game
• Gilbert’s final spring start features surprises from Raleigh
• Callis: Seattle Mariners have MLB’s best pitching prospect duo

Follow @shannondrayer

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