A summer afternoon on Seattle’s bustling waterfront turned into a high-profile criminal case that’s now catching the attention of both the public and the 2A community.
On July 31, 32-year-old Gregory William Timm allegedly confronted a 68-year-old man in a wheelchair along the Alaskan Way boardwalk.
Prosecutors say Timm accused the man of “stolen valor” — pretending to be a military veteran — and demanded to see his military ID. Charging documents, obtained by KOMO News, allege Timm even removed a military patch from the victim’s belongings before things escalated.
The victim reportedly took out an airsoft gun. In witness video later released by the King County Prosecuting Attorney’s Office, Timm can be seen drawing a firearm and shooting the man in the chest from close range.
After firing, Timm returned the gun to his bag, raised his hands, and waited for police.
The victim was rushed to Harborview Medical Center and later released. Timm was arrested on scene and charged with first-degree assault.
Bail was set at $750,000. Prosecutors told KOMO News they consider Timm the initial aggressor, which means they don’t believe his claim of self-defense will hold.
This case is getting even more attention because Timm has a controversial past — including a 2020 incident where he plowed his car into a Trump voter registration drive in Florida.
That background, paired with the dramatic waterfront video, has fueled an intense public reaction.
For lawful gun owners, this incident is a blunt reminder: concealed carry is not a license to confront, escalate, or police other people’s behavior.
Even if you think you’re in the right, the moment you start the confrontation, you’ve likely lost the legal high ground.
If you believe someone’s committing stolen valor or breaking the law, the right move more often than not is to disengage and call authorities.
Prosecutors say the victim’s airsoft pistol was still in a holster when Timm opened fire — and that detail will be front and center in court.
Washington law doesn’t shield an “initial aggressor” from prosecution, and the burden is high for proving imminent, unavoidable danger.
The 2A community’s credibility rests on modeling restraint and good judgment. Firearms are for defending life when no other option exists — not for winning arguments.
As this case winds through the courts, one thing is clear: responsible carry typically means walking away from trouble, even when your ego is screaming otherwise.
What’s your take on the Seattle waterfront shooting? Was this a clear-cut case of an aggressor losing the right to claim self-defense, or is there more to unpack here?
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