Deputies: Man pointed gun, said he 'hated' Muslims after woman rebuffed flirtation



SEATAC -- Sheriff's deputies are searching for a man who allegedly pulled a gun on two Muslim women and said he didn't trust their religion after they refused his flirtations outside a gas station.

SeaTac police detectives have released photographs of the man accused of malicious harassment -- commonly referred to as a hate crime -- stemming from the March 1 incident at a 7-Eleven parking lot in the 3100  block of South 176th Street in Seatac.

Malicious Harassment includes threatening or placing someone in fear of harm because of one's perception of victim's race, color, religion, ancestry, national origin, gender, sexual orientation or mental, physical or sensory handicap.

According to sheriff's deputies, the man appeared to be putting water in the radiator of his GMC Jimmy when two Muslim women arrived to the gas station in a car. The man approached the car, and chatted up one of the victims, deputies said.

The woman politely declined the man's advances, deputies said, and the man accused Muslims of being violent and allegedly said he didn't trust them and "hated them." The man then pulled a small black gun out of his pocket and showed it to the women. The women rolled up the windows, deputies said, and the suspect walked away.

Deputies said the man was white, 30-45 years old, 5'6"-5'8", 200 pounds, chubby with brown or graying hair. He was driving a dark blue or black 1997 GMC Jimmy and armed with a handgun.

Anyone who recognizes the man should call 911.