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An 80-year-old military veteran says he was surrounded by anti-ICE protesters and knocked to the ground while holding a sign supporting federal immigration enforcement at a Washington state demonstration, prompting a sheriff’s investigation into the incident.
The veteran, who requested anonymity out of fear of retaliation, told The Highline Journal he attended the June 10 protest in Burien, a suburb in King County, Washington, located just 12 miles south of downtown Seattle, to peacefully express support for U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement when a confrontation with demonstrators escalated.
“Video reviewed by The Highline Journal shows a woman directing repeated verbal attacks toward the veteran through a loudspeaker, a man wearing a shirt reading ‘Anti-Fascism – No Kings in America’ engaging him during the confrontation, and a woman striking the veteran from behind before he fell to the ground while shouting, ‘You’re down! You are down!’” the outlet reported.
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A protestor lifts a sign in front of a dumpster that was set on fire during a protest against federal immigration arrests on June 11, 2025, in Seattle, Washington. (Rio Giancarlo/Getty Images)
The veteran told The Highline Journal he was present at the event, reportedly promoted by Des Moines, WA Indivisible, holding a small sign supporting ICE and exercising what he considered to be his First Amendment right, saying, “After all, it’s about love, not hate.”
According to the veteran, not everyone at the protest was combative, but the situation changed when additional protesters arrived, with one woman with a loudspeaker singling the veteran out and verbally attacking him.
The veteran said a group of roughly 10 to 12 people surrounded him before taking him to the ground. He recalled hearing someone in the crowd tell others to “just ignore him” during the confrontation.
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A protester confronts a Homeland Security officer during a protest against U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) following a fatal shooting by an ICE agent in Minneapolis on Jan. 11. (Mostafa Bassim/Anadolu via Getty Images)
He also said that after the altercation, a woman gave him back a pair of sunglasses that had fallen off.
The Highline Journal reported that the 80-year-old veteran said he did not regret speaking out, saying, “For evil to succeed, all that is necessary is for good men to do nothing.” He also encouraged people to “Stand up,” and “Do what’s right.”
The outlet reported that the King County Sheriff’s Office confirmed that the incident occurred, with Brandyn Hull, communications manager for the King County Sheriff’s Office, saying that the suspect had yet to be found and identified.
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A pro-ICE demonstrator was assaulted during a clash with anti-ICE agitators on Jan. 17, 2026, in Minneapolis, Minnesota. (Scott Olson/Getty Images)
Hull, the communications manager for the King County Sheriff’s Office, told Digital that the case remains open, and referred the outlet to a June 17 Facebook post from the King County Sheriff’s Office which read, “Detectives are asking for help in finding this suspect, wanted for assault.”
It added, “On June 10th, during an anti-ICE demonstration at SW 148th St. & Ambaum Blvd in Burien, there was an altercation between two people, and the suspect punched the victim, another man, several times. If you know who he is or have any information, please call: 206-296-3311.”
Digital attempted to reach Des Moines, WA Indivisible, for comment.
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