Seattle, Washington — A woman walking to a 7-Eleven during her work break was allegedly attacked by a stranger in downtown Seattle, with police saying the confrontation ended when the suspect bit into the woman’s forehead and tore away a piece of flesh.
Diana Gonzalez said she was walking along Third Avenue on Sept. 18 when Kamilia Chadli, 36, allegedly began throwing trash at her, spitting on her and shouting racial slurs.
What began as a disturbing confrontation quickly escalated into a violent struggle on the steps of the Arctic Club Hotel, according to Gonzalez and police documents.
Woman Says Stranger Suddenly Targeted Her
Gonzalez told a local news outlet that she was heading toward a nearby 7-Eleven when Chadli allegedly approached her. According to Gonzalez, Chadli repeatedly made derogatory comments about her race before the situation became physical.
“Whatever state of mind she was in, she just kept telling me I was an inferior race,” Gonzalez told.
Gonzalez said she initially understood that Chadli was biting her but did not realize how severe the injury was.
“I knew she was biting me,” said Diana Gonzalez in an interview. “I didn’t know she was biting through the skin.”
The confrontation reportedly continued onto the steps of the Arctic Club Hotel, where Gonzalez says she was pulled to the ground.
Police Say Woman Was Bitten During Struggle
According to police, Chadli grabbed Gonzalez during the altercation and bit down on her forehead, leaving her with a serious facial injury.
Gonzalez later described the incident as a hate crime in a GoFundMe description, saying she was attacked by a stranger who allegedly used racist and homophobic slurs before pulling her to the ground.
“I was assaulted in downtown Seattle in a hate crime while walking to a convenience store near my work,” Gonzalez says in the GoFundMe description. “A stranger targeted me with racist and homophobic slurs, pulled me to the ground, and bit a piece of my face off. I was taken to the hospital, and I am now living with permanent injuries that require surgery.”
Gonzalez said she believes the attack should be prosecuted as a hate crime.
“Racially motivated violence can happen to anyone,” Gonzalez said.
Suspect Arrested While Trying to Board Bus
Chadli was arrested after police located her while she was trying to board a bus, according to the report. As of Tuesday, she had been charged with second-degree assault and was being held on $150,000 bail.
Gonzalez has argued that the circumstances surrounding the confrontation should result in additional consideration of hate-crime allegations.
The case remains in the court system, and the allegations against Chadli have not been proven at trial.
Court Records Detail Previous Police Contacts
Court documents reviewed in connection with the case indicate that Chadli has had a lengthy history of police reports and interactions with Seattle Police.
The documents also state that she has previously been “emergently detained for mental health evaluation.” Following the latest arrest, a judge ordered Chadli to undergo a mental health evaluation.
Gonzalez questioned how Chadli was able to leave the scene following the alleged attack and later attempt to board public transportation.
“She knew enough to flee the scene,” Gonzalez said. “She knew enough to go to the bus stop to try to get on the bus. She knew enough to lie, and I’m pretty sure she knows enough not to be in jail speaking that way.”
Woman Faces Surgery and Permanent Injuries
Gonzalez says the attack has left her with permanent injuries requiring surgery, turning what began as an ordinary work break into a traumatic and life-changing experience.
The case has also raised questions about how prosecutors will handle Gonzalez’s allegations that the confrontation involved racial and homophobic slurs.
For now, Chadli faces the second-degree assault charge and remains subject to the court process. She is scheduled to return to court on Oct. 13.
The case is continuing to develop as prosecutors, police and the court review the circumstances surrounding the downtown Seattle attack.
What do you think about the allegations in this case and the charges filed so far? Share your thoughts in the comments below.
