Elderly Seattle woman has eye gouged out in random attack by repeat thug — as cops admit ‘he’s notorious’
Jeanette Marken was blinded in one eye during the attack. Family handout
A 75-year-old Seattle woman was left permanently blind in one eye after being struck in the head with a board in what authorities say was a random assault by a repeat offender earlier this month.
The victim, Jeanette Marken, was waiting to cross a downtown street near the King County Courthouse when the suspect, 42-year-old Fale Vaigalepa Pea, allegedly approached from behind and hit her with a piece of wood embedded with bolts and screws, according to local reporting.
Video of the incident shows the attacker swinging the board with both hands before walking away, while the injured woman clutched her face and bystanders rushed to assist her.
Police body-camera footage later captured officers recognizing the suspect as someone known for repeated assaults in the area. One officer identified him by name and described him as “notorious” for random attacks along Third Avenue. Another officer noted the suspect was a “regular” offender who had typically punched victims in prior incidents but had escalated in this case.
Pea was charged with assault in connection with the attack. Records show he has a lengthy history of arrests for offenses including assault, property destruction, and unlawful weapon use. He had reportedly been booked into the King County jail eight times this year, none resulting in felony charges.
The victim’s family expressed anger over what they view as a failure of the justice system to prevent repeated violence. On a fundraising page created to help cover medical costs, Marken’s son described the severity of her injuries and the lasting impact of the attack.
He wrote that she suffered multiple fractures to her face, skull, and nose, and permanently lost vision in her right eye. Once fully independent and working daily to support herself and her family, she now faces ongoing surgeries, rehabilitation, and significant challenges with everyday tasks.
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