Woman Bites Off Chunk of Victim's Forehead in Seattle Attack
Authorities are investigating the assault as a potential hate crime, with the victim describing the injuries as a 'zombie bite.'
A violent and seemingly random attack in downtown Seattle left a woman with severe injuries to her forehead, described by the victim as resembling a "zombie bite." The alleged assailant, identified as Kamilia Chadli, has been charged with second-degree assault.
The incident occurred when Diana Gonzalez, 36, was walking to a convenience store. According to police, Chadli threw a food wrapper at Gonzalez, and when confronted, allegedly spat on her, used a homophobic slur, and made racist remarks before physically assaulting her.
During the altercation, Chadli allegedly bit off a piece of Gonzalez's forehead, described as being about one inch in diameter. A witness intervened, separating the women and pursuing Chadli until police apprehended her. Seattle police reported finding a piece of flesh in a nearby grate that Chadli allegedly spat out.
Gonzalez was hospitalized and required a skin graft to close the wound. "She bit my face — she bit a piece of my face off," Gonzalez told NBC 16, her forehead heavily bandaged. "I was like ‘Oh my god,’ because it looks like a zombie bite, like in a movie that you would see."
Police initially booked Chadli on suspicion of a hate crime. The King County Prosecuting Attorney's Office ultimately charged her with second-degree assault. She is being held on $150,000 bail, with her arraignment scheduled for September 28.
Gonzalez expressed concern that Chadli might repeat the attack due to its random nature and hopes the assailant receives mental health treatment. "I can’t believe she bit a piece of my face off," Gonzalez stated. "That’s the main thing that is still shocking. I can’t believe it."