Hate crime charged in shooting threat at Lynnwood taco truck

“I’m getting tired of all you black and brown people,” the man reportedly said.

LYNNWOOD — A Seattle man has been charged with a hate crime for an alleged threat to shoot a taco truck worker in Lynnwood, over the color of his skin.

A man was working in the kitchen of the food truck at 9:45 a.m. Jan. 12, when he heard a knock at the closed business. The worker opened the door to see a bald middle-aged man.

“I’m a white person,” he said, “and this might sound weird to you, but I’m getting tired of all you black and brown people,” according to the charges.

The man reportedly kept talking: “One of these days I’m going to load my shotgun and come in and shoot you.”

The man made sounds and gestures like he was racking a shotgun. The worker shut the door and locked it. He shook with fear, court papers say. The stranger walked away.

About an hour later, Lynnwood police tracked down a man who matched the description. He rambled about food trucks in California, the color of his clothing, and the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives, according to police reports.

“Much of what (he) said didn’t make sense,” an officer wrote.

Officers asked him what happened at the taco truck.

“What truck?” he replied, court papers say.

Later he acknowledged he’d knocked on the door and asked for a soda. He reported he made a joke, and that both he and the worker laughed about it. He denied making a threat. The man, 54, was booked into jail for investigation of malicious harassment, Washington state’s hate crime law.

The man has a long misdemeanor record out of Los Angeles, Las Vegas and Seattle, including property destruction, disorderly conduct and threatening a crime with intent to terrorize. He served a jail sentence for felony harassment in 2016.

Since he’s a felon, he’s not allowed to have guns.

Over the past weeks he remained in jail with bail set at $10,000. His address was listed as assisted housing in downtown Seattle.

Caleb Hutton: 425-339-3454; chutton@heraldnet.com. Twitter: @snocaleb.

Talk to us

> Give us your news tips.

> Send us a letter to the editor.

> More Herald contact information.

More in Local News

Customers enter and exit the Costco on Dec. 2, 2022, in Lake Stevens. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)
Costco stores could be impacted by looming truck driver strike threat

Truck drivers who deliver groceries and produce to Costco warehouses… Continue reading

Two Washington State ferries pass along the route between Mukilteo and Clinton as scuba divers swim near the shore Sunday, Oct. 22, 2023, in Mukilteo, Washington. (Ryan Berry / The Herald)
Ferry system increases ridership by a half million in 2024

Edmonds-Kingston route remains second-busiest route in the system.

Lynnwood
Lynnwood police: 1 suspect in custody, 1 at large after attempted carjacking

Beverly Elementary School went into a precautionary lockdown Thursday afternoon. Numerous officers continue to search for the second suspect.

Candidates announce campaigns for Everett city council seat

Ryan Crowther, founder of the Everett Music Initiative, will challenge incumbent Paula Rhyne for the District 2 seat.

Lynnwood City Council Vice President Julieta Crosby speaks during a Lynnwood City Council meeting on Wednesday, Nov. 20, 2024. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)
Lynnwood picks top eight candidates to replace former council VP

The City Council will make its final decision Feb. 20 after interview process.

Robin Cain with 50 of her marathon medals hanging on a display board she made with her father on Thursday, Jan. 2, 2025 in Lake Stevens, Washington. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)
Running a marathon is hard. She ran one in every state.

Robin Cain, of Lake Stevens, is one of only a few thousand people to ever achieve the feat.

People line up to grab food at the Everett Recovery Cafe on Wednesday, Dec. 4, 2024 in Everett, Washington. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)
Coffee, meals and compassion are free at the Everett Recovery Cafe

The free, membership-based day center offers free coffee and meals and more importantly, camaraderie and recovery support.

Devani Padron, left, Daisy Ramos perform during dance class at Mari's Place Monday afternoon in Everett on July 13, 2016. (Kevin Clark / The Herald)
Mari’s Place helps children build confidence and design a better future

The Everett-based nonprofit offers free and low-cost classes in art, music, theater and dance for children ages 5 to 14.

The Everett Wastewater Treatment Plant along the Snohomish River on Thursday, June 16, 2022 in Everett, Washington. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)
Everett water, sewer rates could jump 43% by 2028

The rate hikes would pay for improvements to the city’s sewer infrastructure.

The bond funded new track and field at Northshore Middle School on Thursday, Oct. 24, 2024 in Bothell, Washington. (Courtesy of Northshore School District)
Northshore School District bond improvements underway

The $425 million bond is funding new track and field complexes, playgrounds and phase one of two school replacements.

The peaks of Mount Pilchuck, left, and Liberty Mountain, right, are covered in snow on Wednesday, Feb. 12, 2025 in Lake Stevens, Washington. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)
Western Washington’s current winter drought may not last through the season

Even with last week’s snow flurries, there’s no denying this… Continue reading

A view of a homes in Edmonds, Washington on Friday, Sept. 8, 2023. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)
Snohomish County to mail property tax statements this month

First half payments are due on April 30.

Support local journalism

If you value local news, make a gift now to support the trusted journalism you get in The Daily Herald. Donations processed in this system are not tax deductible.