Seattle, WA — Gregory Timm, 32, has been charged with first-degree assault in connection with the July 31 shooting of Harold Powell, a 68-year-old man in a wheelchair on Seattle’s Pier 55.
According to the King County Prosecuting Attorney’s Office, the altercation began when Timm accused Powell of stolen valor — falsely claiming military service.
The Shooting Incident
Timm allegedly confronted Powell at the waterfront, demanding that Powell show his military identification. Powell, a regular at the location who played music for donations, was reportedly trying to retrieve his wallet when Timm took a military patch from Powell’s belongings.
As Timm continued to demand identification, Powell armed himself with a knife and a holstered Airsoft gun, according to the charging documents.
Before Powell could react, Timm pulled out a handgun and shot him point-blank in the chest. The shooting was captured on video, which shows Timm stepping back from Powell and drawing the weapon in front of bystanders. The video then captures the sound of the gunshot and the subsequent chaos as people ran from the area.
Timm’s Prior Criminal History
This incident isn’t Timm’s first run-in with law enforcement. In February 2020, he was involved in another controversial act — driving a van through a Republican voter registration tent in Jacksonville, Florida.
At the time, he faced charges including aggravated assault and criminal mischief but was found guilty only of the lesser charge of criminal mischief.
Self-Defense and Legal Implications
The King County Prosecuting Attorney’s Office pointed out that under Washington state law, a person cannot claim self-defense if they provoked the altercation. In this case, prosecutors argue that Timm’s actions leading to the confrontation negate any claim of self-defense.
Powell’s Recovery and Court Proceedings
Powell, who was shot in the chest, described the moment as seeing the “slug” coming toward him before hearing the gunshot. Despite the severity of the incident, Powell remains positive and thankful for the support from his family, saying, “I’m just blessed, I can still do my thing with my family. I’m blessed.”
Timm remains in King County Jail with a $750,000 bail, and his next court date is set for Monday. Authorities continue to investigate the incident as it raises broader concerns over violence and prior unresolved actions.
