Seattle Police are actively investigating the brutal assault on independent conservative journalist Cam Higby that occurred during anti-Trump and anti-ICE protests last weekend.
Higby alleges he was attacked by members of Antifa while covering a protest called “No Kings Day” at a Department of Homeland Security building on June 14.
In a separate incident, journalist and podcaster Brandi Kruse claims she was also assaulted by Antifa members at a protest in Tukwila, just south of Seattle. Both incidents were captured on video and shared on social media.
Higby described his experience, stating, “It was out of nowhere, completely out of nowhere that they got violent.” He noted the attack left him bloodied and bruised and resulted in a concussion that has caused ongoing headaches, vision impairment, and memory issues nearly a week later.
He recounted his day covering the protests, explaining he took a seat on the ground near the federal building when the assailants approached him unexpectedly.
“They took over the streets, they lit fires to cars, they shot fireworks at cars. Then it’s out of nowhere where this guy yells, ‘Hey Cam, it’s time for you to leave,’ and they charged me,” Higby said, adding that he recognized one of the attackers from a previous threat made against him.
Higby had reported that threat, made in an Instagram post, to the police three weeks prior.
The situation escalated quickly as the attackers crossed the street, charged him, and pinned him against a wall. Vigorous efforts were made to seize his gas mask and helmet.
“One of them picked me up and choked me out from the rear. He released me, and then I was punched twice in the head with SAP gloves filled with steel or lead shot,” Higby detailed.
As he defended himself by using pepper spray, he faced further aggression. He called 911 after the assault, but he noted disappointment in the police response, stating he waited about 45 minutes without any sign of help.
Video journalist Jonathan Cho, who was also present at the protests, helped Higby get back to his car in another part of town.
Higby visited urgent care the following day, subsequently going to the emergency room due to worsening symptoms related to his concussion. He expressed concerns about the severity of his injuries.
“If I had a brain bleed, I’d already be dead. I think it’s very likely that if I wasn’t wearing a helmet, I would have been either killed or in critical condition,” he stated.
Brandi Kruse also shared her distressing experience at the Tukwila protest. She recounted that she had been at the scene for only 30 seconds when she was targeted.
“I didn’t even get a chance to cover it. Within 30 seconds of walking up, I heard a couple of people shout, ‘that’s Brandi Kruse.’ And then they started to form around me, initially blocking my camera with their umbrellas,” Kruse explained.
As the protest escalated, she experienced aggressive actions from the crowd. “They started spraying water at me, dumping full bottles of water, and hurling them in my direction.”
Kruse attempted to remove herself from the situation but was followed and confronted by protesters continuously pushing signs into her face while further projectiles were hurled.
She described a moment of alarm when she saw someone approaching her with a spray and could smell the strong odor of bug spray, later identified as hornet and wasp killer. This was confirmed to spray up to 20 feet away.
Security personnel intervened, pouring water into her eyes to flush out the harmful spray, which caused significant pain that lingered for days.
Police are aware of the identity of the man who allegedly attacked Higby but have not yet made an arrest. Higby expressed high confidence that it was indeed the same individual who had threatened him weeks before.
Despite the brutal nature of the assault, Higby indicated he has been informed that prosecutors may not pursue charges against the assailant.
In response to questions about the ongoing investigation, Seattle Police wrote in an email to The Center Square, “This case is an open and active investigation assigned to SPD’s Homicide & Assault Unit. SPD policy prevents me from releasing suspect details or ‘leads.'”
Mike Solan, president of the Seattle Police Guild, echoed concern about potential reluctance among prosecutors to take action in this case. He criticized the mainstream media for their lack of coverage regarding the assaults on journalists.
Solan articulated, “I think the bigger conversation here is why isn’t corporate media drawing attention to this political violence as they’re watching journalists get assaulted? It doesn’t seem to be receiving the coverage it deserves.”
Similarly, Kruse expressed frustration over the minimal attention her attack received from the mainstream media, pointing out that she received messages of concern from former colleagues but none had reported on the incident.
“If these were the Proud Boys or if these were right-wing extremists and they assaulted journalists, there’s no way that it wouldn’t be covered,” she remarked.
Kruse indicated she has been in contact with officials within the Trump administration regarding these attacks while also filing a police report with the Tukwila Police Department.
The ongoing investigation into these assaults raises serious questions about the safety of journalists covering protests and the accountability of those engaged in political violence.
image source from：thereflector
