Seattle police searching for man who randomly punched, slashed woman on street

SEATTLE -- A woman said a man she had never seen before walked up to her as she was getting out of her car in the Sodo district, punched her in the face and slashed her with a knife before fleeing, police said Wednesday.

Police received a 911 call shortly before 10:30 a.m. Tuesday about a stabbing in the 2200 block of 4th Avenue South.

"The victim told officers the man approached her as she was getting out of her car and punched her in the face. The suspect then pulled out a knife and began swinging it, cutting the victim on her hand. The victim told police that she does not know the suspect nor why he attacked her," a Seattle police news release said.

The suspect was described as a white man in his 50s with a beard, wearing either a black Hawaiian shirt or black shirt with writing on the back, black pants, and carrying a backpack.

Witnesses told police the assailant fled to a fast-food restaurant after the attack, and that he appeared to be in a mental health crisis.

Police ask that if you have any information about the incident please call 911 immediately.