In a shocking incident caught on video surveillance, a man was seen exiting a bus and following another individual through a park before assaulting him with a hatchet.
In Federal Way, Washington, a case has emerged involving an individual accused of attempting to take the life of a 71-year-old man using a hatchet. Before any trial can proceed, the King County Prosecuting Attorney’s Office has stated that the suspect must undergo a hearing to assess his mental competency.
The individual in question, Paleti Anikesi Veniale II, faces charges of first-degree attempted murder. Following his arrest in late December 2023, Veniale has been detained, with bail set at $1 million.
Veniale’s criminal record is not without precedent, showcasing various assault charges that date back to 2014.
The elderly victim of this brutal attack was left in a critical condition, requiring intubation and a week-long hospital stay to fight for his life, as per the charging documents.
The surveillance footage provides a clear sequence of events, showing Veniale alighting from a bus and making his way into a park. He is seen tracking the victim around Town Square Park in Federal Way before launching an unexpected attack from behind, striking the man on the head and continuing the assault even after the victim had fallen.
Investigators later discovered a bloody hatchet and a black jacket, matching the description of the suspect’s attire, abandoned in a hotel parking lot.
Doctors at the hospital painted a grim prognosis for the victim, estimating his chances of survival at a mere fifty percent. They further cautioned that, even if he were to survive, his quality of life would be severely diminished.
Veniale was later identified by a Kent police officer who recognized him from a police bulletin related to previous incidents in King County. Following this identification, police approached Veniale at Harborview for a separate matter. After being read his Miranda rights, Veniale requested legal representation.
A competency evaluation conducted by The Washington State Department of Social and Health Services in February revealed that Veniale had recently sustained a traumatic brain injury during an arrest, which rendered him incapable of participating in his defense.
A follow-up hearing to reassess Veniale’s competency has been scheduled for June 5. This date also aligns with another competency hearing for a separate case that is pending against him.