Seattle Police: Hunt on for Man Who Bit off Finger
In a shocking midday assault in Seattle, 88-year-old Emma Cotton endured a brutal attack that has left the community reeling and law enforcement urgently seeking answers. On October 13, 2025, Cotton was violently assaulted outside her home in the Rainier Beach neighborhood, a crime so harrowing, it involved the amputation of her finger by the assailant himself. This violent robbery, which unfolded in broad daylight, has sparked widespread outrage and a desperate call for public assistance to bring the perpetrator to justice.
A Day That Turned Terrifying
Emma Cotton, a respected community leader and president of Mount Zion's Senior Ministry, was simply going about her day, cleaning household items on her back porch when the unthinkable happened. According to Seattle Police Department reports, a man in his 30s approached Cotton and demanded she hand over her belongings. When she refused, the suspect launched a violent assault, striking her in the face and dragging her into her garage to continue the attack.
The violence escalated quickly. The assailant, unable to remove a diamond ring from Cotton's finger by conventional means, resorted to biting off a portion of her finger to seize the precious jewel. The thief then fled the scene, taking with him both the ring and the severed digit.
The Aftermath: Trauma and Recovery
The physical and emotional toll on Cotton has been immense. She was rushed to Harborview Medical Center, where she was treated for multiple serious injuries, including brain bleeds and fractures sustained during the attack. According to one of her sons, her head was swollen to the size of a basketball, as reported by PEOPLE. She reportedly spent three days in the intensive care unit before being transferred to a rehabilitation facility.
Despite the severity of her injuries, Cotton has not spoken publicly about the ordeal. However, responding officers noted that she feared for her life during the attack, believing the assailant intended to kill her, as reported by KOMO News.
A Community in Shock
Emma Cotton is more than just a victim; she is a pillar of her community. As a prominent member of the African American church community in Seattle, her decades of volunteer work and leadership have touched many lives. Local activists and friends have expressed profound shock and sadness over the attack, emphasizing Cotton's longstanding contributions and the deep respect she commands in the city.
Eddie Rye, a longtime community activist and close friend, described the assault saying, "It's really, really tragic because she really is a person who is well loved, highly respected, and highly regarded by a lot of people in the city," as reported by The Seattle Medium. The community has rallied around Cotton, offering prayers and support as she recovers from her injuries.
The Hunt for Justice
Seattle police have released surveillance images of the suspect captured near the scene of the crime, hoping the public can help identify the man responsible for this heinous act. Described as a man in his 30s, the suspect remains at large, and authorities are urging anyone with information to contact the SPD Violent Crimes Tip Line immediately.
This case has become a joint investigation involving multiple law enforcement agencies, including officers from Burien, Tukwila, and the King County Sheriff's Office, underscoring the seriousness with which the authorities are treating the matter.
Reflecting on the Unthinkable
As you read about Emma Cotton's ordeal, it's hard not to feel a mix of shock and empathy. The sheer brutality of the attack — an elderly woman assaulted just outside her own home, her finger bitten off in a desperate bid for a ring — defies easy comprehension. Yet, it also highlights the resilience of a woman who, despite unimaginable trauma, is fighting to recover.
This story serves as a stark reminder of the dangers that can lurk even in seemingly safe neighborhoods and the importance of community vigilance. It also calls on all of us to support victims of violent crime and to aid law enforcement in bringing perpetrators to justice.
If you have any information about the suspect or the attack, please reach out to the Seattle Police Department's Violent Crimes Tip Line at 206-233-5000. Your help could be crucial in ensuring that justice is served for Emma Cotton and preventing such a tragedy from happening to someone else.
In the meantime, the community continues to hold Emma Cotton in their thoughts, hoping for her full recovery and the day when this dark chapter can finally close.
References: Thief Demanded Woman, 88, Give Him Ring. Then He Bit Off Her Finger to Steal It - and He's Still on the Run with Both | Seattle police ask for help ID'ing robber who attacked, bit off finger of elderly woman | 88-Year-Old Church Leader Brutally Beaten And Robbed At Her South Seattle Home
