Woman's Face Slashed After Asking Bar Patron for COVID Vaccination Proof: Police

A woman's face was slashed at a bar after she asked a patron if he had proof of COVID-19 vaccination, according to police.

The Seattle Police Department said in a press release that the incident happened on Monday at around 5:15 p.m. local time at a bar in the city's Pioneer Square.

According to the release, police were called by witnesses after a bartender allegedly was attacked by a patron. When officers got to the bar, they were told that "the suspect attacked the bartender with a sharpened broomstick after she asked for proof of vaccination."

"Medics treated the bartender for a laceration to her face," the press release said.

According to police, the suspect reportedly left the area shortly after allegedly slashing the bartender in the face. The Seattle Police Department said that they believe the suspect "may have gotten on a light-rail train and left the area."

In Kings County, where Seattle is located, residents aged 12 and older are required to show proof of COVID-19 vaccine for indoor public spaces like bars and restaurants.

According to KOMO News in Seattle, the incident occurred at Joe's Bar and Grill. While speaking with KOMO News, the bartender that was allegedly attacked on Monday night, Felicite Ogilvy, said that employees at the bar always try to check every customer's COVID-19 vaccine card in an effort to combat the spread of the virus.

Ogilvy told KOMO News that when she asked the man if he had his COVID-19 vaccination card, he told her that he has received the shot but didn't have his proof of vaccine card.

"And I was like OK but you need to have proof of it," Ogilvy said. "He ended up basically saying 'You're picking on me, I'm not going to deal with it.' That's when he started getting hostile."

Some of Ogilvy's coworkers attempted to deescalate the situation, according to KOMO, but the man remained angry and allegedly fought back with the broomstick.

"He swung the stick as hard as he could at my face, so not only did it puncture me, he also slit me," Ogilvy said.

While speaking with the local news outlet, Ogilvy said that she doesn't agree with having to enforce the county's mask mandate.

"Why am I getting hurt?" she said. "Why am I the one who has to control this?"

Seattle Police Department public information officer Detective Patrick Michaud told Newsweek that the suspect has yet to be found and police are still actively searching for him.

According to Michaud, the Seattle Police Department has experienced a few similar incidents in the past with residents fighting back against COVID-19 vaccine mandates but he noted that there has been "nothing widespread."