Olympia police believe unprovoked attack of mixed-race couple was racially motivated

OLYMPIA – A white man with several racist tattoos attacked a mixed-race couple without provocation in downtown Olympia on Tuesday night, Olympia police spokesperson Laura Wohl said.

Police said the couple was standing outside a restaurant at 4th Ave. E. and Adams St. SE when the suspect, 32-year-old Daniel Rowe, walked up and stabbed the man without saying a word. In the process, he also accidentally cut the woman, leaving her with a superficial wound.

After being stabbed, the man tackled Rowe and held him down until police arrived.

Police said that once they got there, Rowe made several racist comments that led them to believe the attack was racially motivated.

Rowe was booked into jail for investigation of two counts of first-degree assault and possible malicious harassment. He made his first appearance in court Wednesday, and his bail was set at $500,000.