Incident Involving Wheelchair-Bound Veteran and Accused Shooter
A recent shocking video surfaced, showing the man alleged to have fatally shot a 68-year-old wheelchair-bound veteran during a dispute over “stolen valor.” It appears he also drove his vehicle into a tent filled with supporters of President Donald Trump back in 2020 at a Republican voter registration event.
The shooting occurred on July 31 near Seattle’s Downtown Waterfront. According to the prosecutor’s office, the accused, identified as Gregory Tim, approached the victim on the promenade close to a Starbucks, demanding identification to validate the victim’s military service.
The situation escalated when the defendant allegedly removed a military patch from the victim’s belongings as the victim attempted to show his wallet. Feeling threatened, the victim brandished a knife. In response, Tim displayed his ID, only for the victim to then pull out an airsoft gun.
Detective Jeffrey Sharp highlighted in a police report that Tim had accused Harold James Powell of “stolen valor.” The report described how, before the victim could act, Tim reportedly drew a handgun and shot Powell in the chest from about 12 feet away.
Witnesses recalled hearing Powell exclaim, “He shot me!” This disturbing incident was captured on video.
Law enforcement reported that two wildlife officers apprehended Tim at the shooting scene, with Seattle police taking him into custody afterward. They collected the firearms involved as evidence.
Powell, a disabled Navy veteran, was hit in the right side of his chest. He received medical attention from the Seattle Fire Department and was transported to Harborview Medical Center, where his condition was deemed serious but stable.
During transport to the King County Jail, Tim demonstrated a rather unsettling demeanor, allegedly stating that he felt it was his “duty” to take such actions against the victim.
The accusations against Tim include intentionally causing major bodily harm to Powell with deadly force, a circumstance that prosecutors have labeled as completely unnecessary violence against a vulnerable individual.
As it stands, Tim is facing first-degree assault charges, which could lead to a lengthy prison sentence if he is convicted. He is currently held on $750,000 bail and is due for a court appearance on Monday.
Powell expressed his disbelief over the incident, explaining how he thought he wouldn’t survive. He recalled seeing the bullet coming towards him and felt an intense fear for his life at that moment. Thankfully, doctors discovered that while the bullet broke a rib, it did not hit any vital organs.
Interestingly, Tim had previously gained national attention in February 2020 for crashing his vehicle into a Trump voter registration tent in Jacksonville, Florida. He admitted to authorities that he did so intentionally out of his dislike for the president, although, fortunately, that incident did not result in any injuries.
