SEATTLE WA Dec 31 2020 — A repeat offender who was released from the King County Jail last weekend after attacking a security guard in Seattle was re-arrested a few hours later for a brutal attack that ended with that victim being hospitalized in intensive care, according to court documents and police.
Ardalla Jama, 29, is facing several charges in connection with a fight Saturday night at City Hall Park, which is located a few blocks away from the county jail.
Prosecutors said Jama allegedly kicked and stomped the victim's head after he fell to the ground, and a witness said Jama continued his attack on the victim even after he lost consciousness. The victim, whose identity was not immediately disclosed, suffered significant wounds to his face and head.
Following that attack, Jama was again taken into custody, marking his sixth arrest so far this year in cases that often involve violence.
“It's very concerning," said Casey McNerthney, spokesperson for the King County Attorney’s Office. "We work right by there. We see a lot of concerning behavior out of that park and when we get cases referred to us we act on it."
McNerthney said county prosecutors expect to review the case to determine if felony charges should be filed once police complete their investigation.
Before the attack on Saturday, Jama was accused of assaulting a security guard in Queen Anne one day earlier.
According to a written statement by Seattle police, the guard said Jama took a swing at him and then head-butted him when the guard tried to restrain him.
The Seattle City Attorney’s Office received that case but Jama ended up being given a conditional release within hours of his arrest.
“We had the one from City Hall Park,” McNerthney said. “The one from the previous day was a case that wasn't referred to us and that's why we didn't act on it. Quite simply it didn't come to us."
Jama’s previous run-ins with police include arrests for assault, malicious mischief, harassment and property destruction.
He was also charged with felony harassment in 2019 but was found incompetent to stand trial due to concerns about his mental fitness.
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