Kent Woman Escapes Brutal Assault: Suspect Charged with Attempted Kidnapping and Rape

This harrowing story is a powerful reminder of the importance of self-defense and the strength it takes to fight back in life-threatening situations. In Kent, Washington, a brave 29-year-old woman narrowly escaped a brutal attack after being violently assaulted and choked unconscious. Her resilience and ability to defend herself not only saved her life but also provided police with crucial details that led to the arrest of the suspect. This incident highlights the critical need for situational awareness and the courage to act in dangerous moments.

The Kent Police Department credits a victim’s detailed description and her determination to fight back, even after being brutally assaulted and choked unconscious, with helping them catch a 26-year-old suspect.

According to detectives, the 29-year-old victim had taken a bus from Seattle to Kent Station and was walking toward her apartment while talking to her mother on the phone, excited about her first bus commute. Along the way, she passed by the suspect, Troy Walton, who was smoking a cigarette. He was described as a light-skinned Black male wearing a grey zip-up jacket, brown sleeves, and grey pants—a description that helped police locate him two days later.

Moments later, the victim heard Walton running up behind her. Court documents reveal that Walton, who stands 6 feet 6 inches tall, grabbed the woman and threw her into some bushes near a veterinary clinic. He then repeatedly punched her in the face as she tried to scream and fight back. The victim told police she lost consciousness when Walton choked her. When she regained consciousness, she found him with his head under her shirt. She fought back again, punching and kicking him and even biting his hand as he attempted to choke her once more. The bite caused Walton to scream and flee the scene.

Walton had a history of assaults on women. In August, he pleaded guilty to slapping a cashier at a Fred Meyer store, causing pain and bruising. Afterward, he returned to the store and pursued the victim until she told him to stop. Walton claimed he believed the woman was interested in him. He was released from jail on August 20 after serving a 10-day sentence, and this most recent assault occurred less than a month later while he was still on probation.

When police interviewed the victim, her face was swollen and bandaged. She told them she feared for her life and provided a detailed description of her attacker. She also mentioned that she had been carrying two cell phones, and the suspect grabbed one, disconnecting her call with her mother.

“This is a terrifying event,” said Casey McNerthney, a spokesperson for the King County Prosecuting Attorney’s Office. “Fighting back is the best thing you can do for yourself, and we’re fortunate that the victim did here.”

During their investigation, detectives found surveillance footage from nearby businesses that captured the assault. Additional footage from other businesses and a home’s Ring camera showed Walton leaving the scene. Officers later shared these images, and two days after the attack, a sharp-eyed officer spotted Walton near the Kent Transit Center wearing clothes that matched the victim’s description exactly.

When arrested, Walton had a visible bite mark on his hand, which he initially claimed came from a dog but later admitted the victim had bitten him. He also confessed to punching and choking the victim to keep her quiet. According to court documents, Walton told detectives he intended to rape the victim but left when she didn’t lose consciousness.

Walton now faces multiple charges, including first-degree kidnapping, attempted first-degree rape, second-degree assault with sexual motivation, and indecent liberties. He is being held on $750,000 bail.

“We’re grateful for the excellent work by Kent Police, which allowed us to bring this case to court quickly,” McNerthney added.

source: KiroNewsRadio www.mynorthwest.com