Disabled Black Veteran Shot Over 'Stolen Valor' Accusation in Seattle Hate Crime

The Shooting Incident

• 🎯 Harold Powell Sr., a disabled Black Navy veteran, was shot in the chest on Seattle's waterfront on July 31st.
• ⚡ The incident occurred while Powell was playing music in his wheelchair, a practice he had maintained for nearly three decades.
• ⚠️ Prosecutors allege that Gregory William Timm confronted Powell with accusations of stolen valor and demanded to see his military identification.
• 💥 The confrontation escalated when Timm allegedly ripped a military patch from Powell's wheelchair, leading Powell to reach for a knife for protection and then an airsoft gun.
• 🔫 Video evidence suggests Timm stepped back approximately 12 feet before firing a .45 caliber handgun at Powell.

Accused Assailant's History

• 🚨 Gregory William Timm, 32, has a history of politically charged violence, including plowing his car into a Republican voter registration tent in 2020.
• ⚖️ King County prosecutors have charged Timm with first-degree assault, a Class A felony carrying a potential life sentence, and his bail was set at $750,000.
• 🚫 Prosecutors stated Timm cannot claim self-defense as he was the initial aggressor who provoked the altercation.

Family's Plea and Perceived Motive

• 💔 Powell's family believes the attack was a hate crime, noting the racial disparity between the Black veteran and the white assailant.
• 🆘 A GoFundMe has been established to help Powell with extensive medical bills, therapy, mobility, and living expenses, as he is unable to work.
• ✊ The family describes Powell as a proud Black man, a disabled hero, and a survivor of war and systemic injustice, emphasizing the need for justice, healing, and dignity.

Broader Societal Issues

• 🗣️ The discussion highlights concerns about racism and the ease with which individuals who appear