Seattle, WA
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.
(WSB photo)
Shannon Woodard, interim executive director of DNDA, visited Mechanics Bank in The Junction this week to accept a $7,500 grant that’ll help support the housing/art/community nonprofit’s work. One big event ahead: The Arts-in-Nature Festival returns on Saturday, June 27, 10 am-8 pm, at Camp Long (5200 35th SW). Admission will be free, and you’ll be able to wander the park to enjoy music, movement, and storytelling performances, as well as immersive art installations in the park’s rustic cabins. Accepting the grant, Woodard told Mechanics Bank’s Andrew Tento (pictured above with her) and Bob Livingston that though her role as interim executive director is new, she’s been on the DNDA board since 2015, and has worked in the housing sector, setting her up for leadership in DNDA’s housing work, too. “As well as providing affordable housing, we prove community,” Woodard noted – and that’s what the June 27 festival will be about, too.
(Colorful clouds during Saturday’s sunset – photo by Sara Walsh; tonight’s sunset is at 9:04 pm)
After a wildly busy Saturday, it’s a quieter Sunday on our West Seattle Event Calendar – here are highlights of what’s happening (and not) on June’s first Sunday, starting with some good news if you have to head east off the peninsula:
TRAFFIC NOTE – I-5 REOPENED EARLY: Thanks for the tip! What was expected to be a full-weekend closure of I-5 northbound between I-90 and the U-District has ended early, and the freeway’s back open.
SUNDAY FUNDAY RUNDAY PRIDE PARTY: 9 am, Westies Run Club runs from Marination Ma Kai (1660 Harbor SW) today, in “Pride Party” mode – rainbows and glitter encouraged!
AMERICAN MAH JONGG: In The Junction, weekly Sunday morning games are happening at The Missing Piece (4707 California SW), 9:30 am.
(Saturday photo by Oliver Hamlin for WSB)
THUNDER ROAD GUITARS’ GRAND OPENING WEEKEND: Second day of the celebration for Thunder Road Guitars and The Bass Shop (both WSB sponsors) in their new location at 2611 California SW, 10 am-6 pm, featuring another set of “massive giveaways” plus discounts – details here; our Saturday coverage is here.
WEST SEATTLE FARMERS’ MARKET: Open every Sunday year-round on California SW between Oregon and Alaska, 10 am-2 pm, now in almost-summer produce-and-products season – asparagus, lettuce, greens, microgreens, peppers, mushrooms, cabbage, beans, garlic, fruit (strawberries and cherries!), more – and many options for baked goods, cheeses, meats, fish, poultry, fresh- and pre-prepared foods, nuts, condiments, pasta …
MASTER GARDENERS AT THE MARKET: If you have a gardening question, you can get an answer from a Master Gardener! Their weekly clinics at the West Seattle Farmers’ Market continue today, 10 am-2 pm. (Look for their booth toward the south end of the market.)
VOLUNTEER AT THE BEE GARDEN: 10 am-noon, all welcome to help at the West Seattle Bee Garden (Lanham & Graham):
The garden looks great but could use a little taming. Weeding is the name of our game this weekend! As usual:
-Dress for the weather
-Bring a water bottle
-And a heads up: The closest restroom is at QED coffee a block or two up the streetNo experience is necessary, just your gardening spirit. Thanks so much for your support of our community garden! I look forward to seeing you out there.
WEEKEND SINGALONG BRUNCH: 10 am at Admiral Pub (2306 California SW), sing to hits of the ’80s, ’90s, ’00s and enjoy a buffet breakfast – if this morning is sold out, look at dates ahead.
FREE NIA CLASS: Begins at 10:15 am; first class free if you pre-register. At Inner Alchemy Studio/Sanctuary. (3618 SW Alaska)
SPRAYPARK SEASON: Daily splashing continues, rain or shine, at the Highland Park Spraypark (1100 SW Cloverdale), 11 am-8 pm.
WEST SEATTLE TOOL LIBRARY: Need a tool but don’t need/want to, or can’t, buy it? You’ll probably be able to find it at, and borrow it from, the Tool Library, open 11 am-4 pm on the northeast side of Youngstown Cultural Arts Center. (4408 Delridge Way SW)
WEST SEATTLE RESIST: Regular weekly West Seattle Resist Sunday sign-holding event, 11:30 am-1:30 pm. South of Farmers’ Market. (California SW and SW Alaska)
FREE FLAG-FOOTBALL CLINIC: Girls 10-16 interested in flag football are invited – noon-2 pm on the field at 2701 SW Kenyon, free, just show up! Presented by (but not at) the West Seattle YMCA (WSB sponsor).
COLMAN POOL’S FINAL PRESEASON WEEKEND: Noon-7 pm, final preseason weekend concludes at the outdoor pool on the shore at Lincoln Park – see the session schedule here, with 7-day-a-week operations starting next weekend. (8011 Fauntleroy Way SW)
WELCOME ROAD WINERY: You’re welcome this afternoon at this West Seattle tasting room (with a patio!) open 2-5 pm, kids and dogs welcome. (3804 California SW; WSB sponsor)
SIP & SCULPT AT MR. B’S: 6 pm creativity opportunity at Mr. B’s Mead Center (9444 Delridge Way SW).
BLACK TEA AT REVELRY ROOM: 7 pm-midnight, late-night tea service with host Jack Sanders, info and RSVP here. (4547 California SW)
UNDERGROUND TRIVIA AT CORNER POCKET: Trivia starts at 7:30 pm – free to play, and you can win prizes! (4302 SW Alaska)
EVENING SCREAMING: This month’s gathering of Scream Club Seattle on the shore at Lincoln Park (8011 Fauntleroy Way SW) is at 8 pm.
LIVE JAZZ AT THE ALLEY: 8-10 pm jazz, with the Triangular Jazztet at The Alley (behind 4509 California SW).
Organizing, or helping with, an event that we could add to the WSB community calendar – whether one-time or recurring? Please email the basic details – westseattleblog@gmail.com – thank you!
(PHOTOS BY DAVE GERSHGORN FOR WEST SEATTLE BLOG)
Three hours of remembering and reconnecting are just wrapping up at West Seattle High School, where alumni from many years gathered for the annual All-School Reunion.
Above, WSHS Alumni Association president Karen (Seamens) Dobbs and Nancy (Rutherford) Sleight led attendees in singing the historic alma mater song. Memorabilia was on display as usual:
And more-modern logos adorned school merch offered for sale:
Along with gathering in the commons …
… people also gathered class by class in smaller spaces including classrooms and the library:
Every year the 50th-anniversary class is spotlighted – that meant this year was the turn for those who graduated in the bicentennial year, 1976. You can read what various classes’ alums are up to – and about this year’s two Hall of Fame inductees – in the latest issue of the Alumni Association publication, the Chinook.
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